Cyclone Michaung continued moving northward, keeping a whisker’s distance from the coastline. Between Kavali and Nellore, the storm appeared to have breached the coast, racing past these stations. The landfall process, which started around 1100hr will be completed anytime soon. Major eyewall clouds, wrapped tightly around the center have reached over land. Both, the forward section and the left quadrants have gone past the coastline. However, strong winds continue and will prevail for another 4-6 hours.
Earlier, the storm left a trail of destruction over North Coastal Tamil Nadu, including the capital city Chennai. Both, the regional and airport observatories recorded over 50cm of rainfall during 48 hours, when the storm approached and stayed in close proximity to the coastline. From Nellore to Bapatla, across Kavali & Ongole, rainfall in excess of 15-20cm was recorded till late night yesterday. Between 8.30 am and 11.30 am today, Bapatla recorded modest rainfall of 43mm and Ongole was far less at mere 4mm. The forward station of Machilipatnam has measured 23mm rainfall during this period.
After the landfall process is completed, the storm will gradually weaken and start recurving northeastward. Heavy to moderate rainfall is expected over East Telangana, South and Central Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand in the next 24 hours. The rainfall belt will gradually shift from southwest to northeast. Improved weather conditions are likely over these parts from 08th December.
