Cyclone Michaung makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh

Cyclone Michaung landfall has started near Bapatla on Andhra Pradesh coast after causing rain mayhem in Tamil Nadu, NDTV reports.

So far, at least eight people have died in rain-related incidents in Chennai.

The cyclone made landfall with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 km per hour, gusting to 110 km per hour. Officials said the landfall process will continue for about three hours.

The Andhra Pradesh government has issued an alert for eight districts - Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Kakinada.

In Puducherry, Section 144 has been imposed in the coastal areas, restricting movement there, until 6 pm local time.

The India Meteorological Department warned that cities and towns along coastal Andhra Pradesh will see extremely heavy, and even exceptionally heavy (30-40 cm), rainfall.

Chennai airport resumed operations on Tuesday morning after planes were grounded Monday as rainwater entered the runway. The airport would give priority to departures to clear the stranded passengers at the airport, officials said.

/KN/