Schools remained Close as Cyclone Michaung alerted Puducherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on December 4

With the cyclone Michiaung alert in Karaikal, Janam, and Puducherry on December 4, 2023, the authorities decided to keep all schools closed. The cyclone is supposed to move in the direction of the west-northwestwards and goes into deep depression till December 2. Further, it became a cyclonic storm in the southwest Bay of Bengal on December 3, as per the news agency. 

On Friday, the NCMC National Crisis Management Committee, headed by cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba, reviewed the state government preparedness and departments and central ministries to improve the cyclone Michaung. 

NDRF teams for cyclone prevention 

In the meeting by the NCMC, fishermen were asked not to go into the sea and get the proper shelters, power supply, emergency services, and medicines. They are also asked to keep it ready. At that time, the NDRF, the national disaster response force, had 18 teams available in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry so they could control the cyclone situations. The more than ten teams are ready at those spots for help. In fact, the relief and rescue teams of the Coast Guard, navy, and Army are available there with aircraft and ships, as per a statement by officials. 

Status of Cyclone Michiaung 

The IMD, India meteorological department director-general gave a brief about the current status of cyclone Michiaung.

The cyclone over Southeast and adjacent Southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a velocity of 13 kmph at some stage in beyond 6 hours and lay focused at 1130 hours IST on Friday for 860 km southeast of Nellore,  730 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 910 km southeast of Machilipatnam,740 km east-southeast of Chennai and  930 km southeast of Bapatla. 

The cyclone might also accentuate a deep melancholy by December 2 and, in addition, into a cyclonic storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal around December 3. Further, it would circulate northwestwards and reach near south Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts with the aid of the December 4 forenoon.

After that, it might pass almost northwards, nearly parallel to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, and move South Andhra Pradesh for the duration of the forenoon of December 5 among Nellore and Machilipatnam. 

Heavy Rainfall alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expected thunderstorms with rains in Pondicherry on Saturday, December 2, and heavy rainfall on December 3 and 4. Meanwhile, a weather department representative stated mild to moderate rainfall was expected in the foremost parts of North Tamil Nadu for the subsequent four days.

It is predicted that heavy rainfall will occur on December 3 in delta districts. On December 3, from Thiruvallur to Mayiladuthurai, north coastal districts will get heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall is likewise expected in adjacent districts like Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, etc, on December 4. 

Conclusion

As the weather agency predicted the cyclone Michiaung alert on December 4 in Puducherry, Karaikal, and Yanam, the authorities decided to keep all schools closed till December 4. Moreover,  the NDRF teams have already decided on December 4 arrangements for cyclone prevention.