Cyclone Michaung leaves trail of destruction in Andhra Pradesh

Cyclone Michaung, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla on Tuesday, has weakened into a cyclonic storm but has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm damaged 770-kilometre roads, uprooted 35 trees and killed three livestock, among others.

The severe cyclonic storm Michaung, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla on Tuesday and subsequently weakened into a cyclonic storm, left a trail of destruction in its wake. Michaung is expected to subside into a deep depression over the next six hours, said an official. The storm damaged 770-kilometre roads, uprooted 35 trees and killed three livestock, among others.

Impact of Cyclone Michaung

According to data shared by the Chief Ministers Office (CMO), nearly 40 lakh people from 194 villages and two towns were affected by Michaungs impact, including the inundation of 25 villages. Though there was no loss of human life on Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Director BR Ambedkar toldthat a four-year-old boy died after a hut wall collapsed on him in Tirupati district on Monday. While another person died in Bapatla district, Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal toldthat the cause of death was not related to the cyclone. The lone deceased person was found in a drunken state on a road by his motorcycle, which was not submerged under water, in the Inkollu village, Jindal said.

Relief Efforts

Across the state, 204 relief camps are accommodating 15,173 evacuees. As part of relief efforts, 18,073 food packets and more than 1 lakh water packets were distributed. Eighty health camps were also organised. For the affected districts, the state government has sanctioned Rs 23 crore for relief efforts.

Extent of Damage

The damaged structures include 78 huts and a cattle shed while 232 houses were marooned. Two kuccha houses were fully damaged. Under the roads and buildings department, 770 kilometres of surface roads suffered damage in the districts of Konaseema 234 kilometres, Prakasam 55 kilometres, Nellore 433 kilometres and Tirupati 48 kilometres. Nellore also witnessed the highest number of trees being uprooted with 29 out of the total 35. Under the municipal administration department, 376 streetlights and 7.5 kilometres of roads were damaged. Fourteen minor irrigation sources were also damaged in Tirupati. The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd suffered damage to 13 33-KV feeders, 312 11-KV feeders, 29 33/11-KV sub-feeders, nine 33-KV poles, 140 11-KV poles and 244-LT poles.

Rainfall and Wind Speed

Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm, 10 places -- seven in Tirupati and three in Nellore -- experienced more than 200 mm rainfall on Tuesday.Manubolu in Nellore district recorded 366.5 mm rainfall. Gales gusting up to speeds of 110 kilometres per hour are expected to prevail over west-central Bay of Bengal around the weather system for the next six hours and then gradually subside. Along north Andhra Pradesh coast, squally winds reaching speeds of 60 kilometres per hour and gusting up to 65 kilometres per hour are likely to prevail over the next 12 hours and gradually decrease thereafter.

Forecast for Wednesday

For Wednesday, the Met has forecast heavy rainfall -- 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm -- for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema and Eluru districts.

The severe cyclonic storm Michaung caused significant damage in Andhra Pradesh, affecting nearly 40 lakh people and leaving a trail of destruction. While there was no loss of human life on Tuesday, the storm caused extensive damage to infrastructure, roads, and power supply. Relief efforts are underway, and the state government has sanctioned funds for the affected districts. The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall for Wednesday in several districts of the state.