WATCH: Strong winds, heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Michaung makes landfall

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds were witnessed in Andhra Pradesh Bapatla Tuesday as cyclone Michaung began to make landfall.

A red alert has been issued in Andhra Pradesh’s eight areas – Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada – in anticipation of possible destruction by the storm caused by Cyclone Michaung.

#WATCH | Rough sea, strong winds and heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla as #CycloneMichuang makes landfall pic.twitter.com/gRu12ltOMC

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked all officers and departments to be on alert and be available for immediate relief and rescue.

IMD scientist HR Biswas said the cyclonic storm is likely to weaken in the next few hours.

#WATCH | On #CycloneMichuang, Scientist 'E' and in-charge IMD Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas says, "Currently, the windspeed is 90-100 kmph. The cyclone is expected to weaken in the next few hours." pic.twitter.com/74vQ080ffy

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Residents asked to stay indoors

According to the data shared by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), 9,454 people have been evacuated from the seven districts of Konaseema, Kakinada, Krishna, Bapatla and Prakasam to safety in 211 relief camps.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Rain lashes several parts of Visakhapatnam due to cyclone Michaung pic.twitter.com/ZcipZUChXM

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Residents around Bapatla have been advised against going outdoors. Bapatla district superintendent of police Vakul Jindal told PTI that people living in thatched houses in the region have been evacuated.

No respite in sight for Andhra

Weather agencies have predicted that harsh weather conditions in Andhra Pradesh and nearby cities will prevail till Thursday.

The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds in parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday and Wednesday. It also forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places.

Rains in Chennai kill 12, roads submerged in water

Cyclone Michaung has also caused rain mayhem in Tamil Nadu with incessant downpours and floods killing at least 12 people.

#WATCH | People living in the inundated Krishna Nagar area of Chennai's West Tambaram's being rescued using inflated boats

The city is reeling under the effect of #CycloneMichuang. Rescue effortss underway by police, local administration and volunteers. pic.twitter.com/v7lWdDXWkA

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

#WATCH | Roads in Chennai's Pallikaranai area inundated due to heavy rainfall owing to #CycloneMichuang pic.twitter.com/CUSEhFZfDc

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Videos from Chennai showed low-lying areas submerged underwater and people facing difficulties due to power outages.

VIDEO | Several areas in Chennai remain waterlogged after Cyclone Michaung-triggered heavy rainfall in the region. Visuals from Tharamani area.#CycloneMichaung #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/5oM3V6Pvan

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 5, 2023

Visuals of rainwater stagnation in a residential colony of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/Xe8FZ6tuEM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 5, 2023

29 NDRF teams deployed in southern India

A total of 29 NDRF teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry to undertake relief and rescue operations in the wake of the severe cyclonic storm Michaung hurtling down India's eastern coast on Tuesday.

Fourteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu (five in Chennai), 11 in Andhra Pradesh, one in Telangana and three in Puducherry.

#WATCH | NDRF personnel deployed on Bapatla coast in Andhra Pradesh as #CycloneMichuang makes landfall

"We have deployed 12 teams, which are ready for rescue operations," says Zahid Khan, Commandant NDRF. pic.twitter.com/UZJbgz2gEN

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

"Our focus is on Andhra Pradesh as the cyclone will make landfall there and a number of trees, poles and other infrastructure could be uprooted, leading to blockage of communication and power lines," a senior officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

The NDRF is also prepared to launch rescue and relief operations for the affected people who could be stranded, he said.

Additional teams have been kept on standby and they will be moved into the affected areas as and when the requisition is made by the state governments, another NDRF officer said.

With inputs from agencies