Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” Impacts Regions, IMD Issues Weather Updates

In a recent update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a well-marked low-pressure area has been identified over Northeast Telangana and adjoining areas, including South Chhattisgarh, South Interior Odisha, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Over the past 24 hours, the severe cyclonic storm “MICHAUNG,” pronounced as “MIGJAUM,” that was present over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal along and off the south Andhra Pradesh coast, has significantly impacted the region. The storm moved northwestwards, crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph between 12:30-14:30 hrs IST on December 5th, 2023.

Subsequently, the storm weakened into a deep depression over south coastal Andhra Pradesh at 17:30 hrs IST on the same day, further transforming into a depression over Northeast Telangana, adjoining South Chhattisgarh, South Interior Odisha, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh at 05:30 hrs IST on December 6th, 2023. At 08:30 hrs IST today, it has weakened further into a well-marked low-pressure area.

Rainfall warnings have been issued for various regions:

• Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall, is expected over North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh on December 6th.
• Similar weather conditions are anticipated over Kerala & Mahe on December 8th & 9th and Tamil Nadu on December 9th.

In the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls has been observed at isolated places over Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Significant rainfall amounts in various districts include:

• In Telangana: Aswaraopeta (B. Kothagudem) recorded 34 CM, Palawancha (B. Kothagudem) 25 CM, and Chandrugonda (B. Kothagudem) 23 CM, among others.
• In Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Bhimadole (Eluru) recorded 24 CM, Kukunoor (Eluru) 22 CM, and Narsapuram (West Godavari) 21 CM, among others.
• In Tamil Nadu: Virudunagar AWS (Virudhunagar) and Ponnamaravathi (Pudukkottai) both recorded 7 CM each.
• In Odisha: Pottangi (Koraput) recorded 11 CM, and Similiguda (Koraput) recorded 9 CM.

The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely, and for more detailed forecasts, please refer to IMD’s official website and cyclone information.