Chennai worried about cyclone Michaung

CHENNAI: The city is worried by the weather forecast that the low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal will turn into a severe depression and a cyclonic storm. The path of Cyclone Michaung is not clear. However, weather experts have hinted that there is a possibility of Michaung reaching the northern coast of Tamil Nadu including Chennai. Residents of the city are relieved by the announcement that the cyclone is more likely to move towards the northern Andhra and Odisha coasts.

Chennai and some other places are likely to witness moderate rain with thundershowers in the coming days.

On Monday, the city received isolated light rain in the morning. Heavy rains lashed northern parts of Chennai and major areas during the night. A similar pattern has been recorded in the neighbouring areas of Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur. Chennai has received 466.2 mm of rainfall this year since October 1, which is 26% below normal.

With the northeast monsoon intensifying in the state, heavy rains in the city have raised water levels in reservoirs. Officials of the Water Resources Department said that the water level in Puzhal, Chembarambakkam, Poondi and Sholavaram lakes, which are the main source of the city's freshwater supply, have risen to full storage capacity. Meanwhile, Regional Meteorological Center officials said that a low-pressure area has formed between the South Andaman Sea and South Thailand.

The severe depression will intensify again and become a cyclonic storm over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on December 1. Meteorologists are currently predicting that the cyclone will make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coast on December 5, but there is a possibility of change. Meteorologists say that if this happens, the cyclone may turn towards the Chennai coast.

Michaung

The cyclone has been named Michaung by the Meteorological Observatory of Myanmar. Michaung will be the fourth cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal this year.