Cyclone Michaung Ravages Chennai: Building Collapse Claims Three Lives
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: In the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, heavy rains persistently battered Tamil Nadu, causing widespread devastation. Virudhunagar district experienced the highest rainfall at 8 centimeters, while other districts, including Ponnamaravathi, Natham, Singampunari, and Sathiar, recorded 7 centimeters of rainfall.
A tragic incident unfolded on the Chennai Valacherry main road as a green-tech structural construction building collapsed, trapping three individuals inside. The Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with NLC company, initiated water-pumping efforts using motor pumps to address the calamity.
VCK Chief and MP Thirumavalavan visited the disaster site, engaging with officials and families affected by the building collapse.
Chennai’s streets were submerged due to relentless rainfall, prompting ongoing boat rescue operations. Additional Commissioner of Police (South) Tr.Prem Anand Sinha IPS & DC Mount conducted relief and rescue efforts in low-lying areas of Manapakkam and Thuraipakkam, leveraging support from DDRT, local police, FIRE, and Chennai Municipal Corporation officials.
The continuous heavy rainfall led to flooding in several low-lying areas of Chennai, compelling the police department to deploy teams for relief and rescue operations. These teams distributed essential supplies, facilitated evacuations, and provided medical assistance to affected residents.
Earlier reports from the Greater Chennai Police indicated six deaths in connection with the Michaung cyclone. The Arumbakkam area remained waterlogged, and traffic disruptions were reported on various roads, with waterlogging reaching at least one foot.
DDRT Teams collaborated with the Government and Highways Department to clear major waterlogged areas. Chennai Police reported numerous successful rescues from different locations, including Ganesapuram, Slaterpuram, Shanmuga Street, Anbu Nagar, West Mambalam, Ram Nagar, Anna Nagar, Canal Street, Marina, Anna Sathya Nagar, and other affected areas.
Additionally, the fire department successfully captured a 14-foot-long King Cobra that had entered a residential area in Bhagavathipuram village.
In response to the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Michaung, Chief Minister MK Stalin urgently sought an interim relief fund of Rs 5060 crores from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CM Stalin also requested the dispatch of a central team to assess the cyclone’s damages in the state. The Chief Minister personally inspected the cyclone-affected areas on Wednesday morning.
Despite the challenges, the entire government machinery, including ministers, officials, police, sanitation workers, and corporation staff, is working tirelessly to mitigate the effects of the Cyclone Michaung calamity. CM Stalin called for increased support from both volunteers and members of the affected areas in the relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the latest update from the Meteorological Department indicated that the depression (remnant of CS MICHAUNG) had weakened to a Well Marked Low-Pressure Area and is likely to further weaken into a Low-Pressure Area in the next 12 hours.
ALSO READ | Chennai Rains Wreak Havoc: A Twitter Chronicle of Resilience and Chaos
