Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung[a] (Burmese pronunciation: [mɪʔtɕʰaʊɰ̃]) was a strong

tropical cyclone which formed in the Bay of Bengal during the 2023 North Indian
Ocean cyclone season. Michuang originated as a low-pressure area in the Gulf of
Thailand which crossed into the Bay of Bengal and became a deep depression on
December 2. It developed into a cyclonic storm thereafter and was named Michaung.
It was the ninth depression and the sixth named cyclonic storm of the the season.
The cyclone gradually moved north-west over the next few days towards the eastern
coast of India. The storm peaked with sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) causing
heavy rainfall in north-eastern Tamil Nadu including Chennai and south-eastern
Andhra Pradesh before making landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on December 5.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
In late November 2023, a low-pressure area crossed into the Bay of Bengal from the
Gulf of Thailand. On December 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the
disturbance had developed into a depression in the South Andaman Sea, and was
expected to move towards the northwest while strengthening in the Bay of Bengal.[3]
On December 2, the system intensified into a deep depression located about 440
kilometres (270 mi) east-southeast of Puducherry.[4] Thereafter, it intensified
into a cyclonic storm, and was assigned the name Michaung by Myanmar.[5]

INSAT-3D image of Michaung on Dec 5

On December 4, cyclone Michaung reached peak intensity as it approached the coast
of Tamil Nadu with winds of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph), equivalent to a high-
end tropical storm on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[6] Michaung moved almost directly
northward along the coast. On December 5, the storm made landfall between Nellore
and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, weakening as it moved inland.[7] By December
6, the storm had weakened to a depression over central Andhra Pradesh.[8]

Meteorological data
According to the IMD reports, INSAT-3D satellite imagery on December 5 indicated a
cloud mass with broken low to medium clouds and intense convection extending over
west-central Bay of Bengal and the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, spanning from
latitude 13.5°N to 17.5°N and longitude 80.0E to 82.5E. The minimum cloud top
temperature was recorded at −90 °C (−130 °F). Coastal surface observations from
various locations on the coast indicated a maximum wind speed of 60 knots (110
km/h; 69 mph) and a minimum sea level pressure of 988 hectopascals (29.2 inHg).[9]
[10] Nungambakkam in Chennai recorded the maximum rainfall of 530 mm (21 in) in the
three day period between December 2 and 4.[11]

Preparations and impact

As the storm approached the east coast of India, India's meteorological department
issued a red alert for the region. In Tamil Nadu, over 500 personnel of National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) were
deployed.[12][13] 121 multi-purpose centers and 4,967 relief centers were set-up in
the eight coastal districts of Tamil Nadu to help in the aftermath of the cyclone.
[14] In Andhra Pradesh, 181 relief camps were set up across the eight districts,
with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and AP State Disaster Response
Force (APSDRF) deploying five teams each to assist in the affected areas.[15][16]
Southern districts of Odisha were also to receive heavy rainfall due to the
cyclone, and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed to assist local
authorities.[17]

Heavy rain and strong winds battered the coastal areas.[18] Persistent rains caused
widespread flooding and inundation in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.[19]
Rivers including Cooum and major lakes overflowed in Chennai causing further water
logging in the low lying areas along the banks.[20] At least 17 people were killed,
and more than 41,000 people were evacuated and temporarily relocated, including
32,158 in Tamil Nadu and 9,500 in Andhra Pradesh.[21][22] Power supply was cut off
by the government in flooded areas in Chennai as a preventive measure to avert
electrocution.[23]

Chennai International Airport closed its operations on December 4 due to flooding

in the apron and runways, with flights being diverted or cancelled and operations
resuming the next day.[24] Schools and offices were closed due to heavy rains and
flooding.[25] Southern Railways and East Coast Railways re-directed and cancelled
several trains.[26] Several businesses and industries in Chennai were impacted
adversely as operations were ceased due to power shortages, flooding and damage to
equipment.[27] In Andhra Pradesh, crop damage and losses were reported due to the
flooding of fields.[28] There was also a shortage of essential commodities
including milk which was exacerbated by panic buying.[29]

Relief efforts
The Indian Air Force air dropped more than 2,300 kilograms (5,100 lb) of food
packets and relief supplies in affected areas of Chennai, while the Indian Navy, in
collaboration with the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force, was tasked
with rescuing people and providing supplies using inflatable boats.[30][31][32]
Greater Chennai Corporation pressed more workers for flood recovery and aiding
stranded people while citing staff crunch for delays in clearing fallen trees and
garbage.[33][34] Volunteers engaged in distributing food packets, milk, water
bottles and rescuing stranded people through boats in the inundated areas.[35]

Relief materials were sent from various districts of Tamil Nadu to the affected
areas.[36][37] Various NGOs, religious and volunteer groups helped in the relief
effort.[38] On December 9, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin announced a
relief of ₹5 lakh (US$6,300) for families of those who lost their lives, ₹37,500
(US$470) for individuals who lost cattle, ₹17,000 (US$210) per hectare for paddy
cultivators who lost the crop and ₹8,000 (US$100) for who lost their homes. A
relief package worth ₹6,000 (US$75) was announced to be distributed through Public
Distribution System (PDS) outlets for those who were impacted by the cyclone.[39]
[40] Many political parties including AIADMK, DMK and BJP ran relief campaigns and
distribution programmes.[41][42][43]

Stalin donated one month salary to the state disaster relief fund and appealed to
others to donate.[44] TVS Motors and Ashok Leyland contributed ₹3 crore
(US$380,000) each to flood relief.[45][46] Actors Surya and Karthi donated ₹10 lakh
(US$13,000) each to the relief fund.[47]

As many personal and transport vehicles were damaged during the floods, auto
companies announced various aid measures. Maruti Suzuki helped mobilize tow trucks,
provide road side assistance; Hyundai announced a relief package of ₹3 crore
(US$380,000) for flood relief; Tata Motors announced an extension of the warranty,
maintenance contracts and provided emergency road assistance; Mahindra announced
complimentary roadside assistance, no-cost inspection and financial discounts;
Toyota set-up special emergency helpline and designated personnel for immediate
assistance.[48] Companies like Tata Group also assisted in the relief effort.[49]

Response
National
On December 4, Home minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh assuring of all the help required and stating that the NDRF and
Armed forces will be pressed into action.[50] Member of Parliament Kanimozhi stated
on December 5 that the government of Tamil Nadu have taken proactive measures to
address the impact of the cyclone with the establishment of over 400 shelters for
the affected population, pumping of stagnant water and restoration of electricity.
[51] On December 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the
families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed for those injured or
affected.[52] He also stated that the authorities have been working tirelessly to
assist those affected and will continue to work towards normalization.[53]
Opposition MPs appealed to the Central government to extend its full assistance to
Tamil Nadu in managing the repercussions of the cyclone.[54] They demanded that the
disaster be declared as a national calamity.[55]

On December 6, chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin wrote to the Prime Minister
seeking ₹5,060 crore (US$630 million) for interim flood relief from the disaster
response fund.[56] Defence minister Rajnath Singh conducted an aerial survey of the
affected areas in Tamil Nadu on December 7 and met with chief minister Stalin.[57]
On December 7, Central government released a second installment of ₹450 crore
(US$56 million) to the Tamil Nadu disaster relief fund and ₹493.50 crore (US$62
million) to the Andhra Pradesh disaster relief fund having already released the
same amount earlier.[58][59] Amit Shah announced that the Prime Minister has
already approved the first urban flood mitigation project of ₹561.29 crore (US$70
million) for urban flood management activities for Chennai under the National
Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) with a central assistance of ₹500 crore (US$63
million).[60]

On December 8, representatives of various micro, small and Medium enterprises

sought time to repay loans and electricity charges due to flood related losses and
damages.[61] On December 9, Union minister of state Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited
Chennai to assess the damages and coordinate with the state government for further
assistance [62]

International
Australian cricketer David Warner shared his concern for those affected by the
floods and advised safety.[63]

Criticism
People from various localities in Chennai expressed their disappointment at the
water stagnation, power outages and lack of support from the authorities.[64] Actor
Vishal expressed his disappointment with the flood situation in Chennai and
criticized the Chennai Mayor and other authorities for not building adequate
infrastructure to handle the floods.[65] Ministers of the state government and
elected representatives were heckled by the angry public during their visits at
various places in Chennai.[66][67] Prominent people including Ravichandran Ashwin,
Jwala Gutta and Srinath Narayanan came out and shared their difficult experience.
[68]

On December 7, leader of the opposition K. Palaniswami demanded the chief minister

of Tamil Nadu to release a white paper on the completed and ongoing stormwater
drain work in Chennai.[69] On December 10, he further criticized the state
government for the lack of preparedness and demanded the flood relief to be
increased to ₹12,000 (US$150).[70] Tamil Nadu state president of BJP, Annamalai
expressed his displeasure on the flooding and demanded the relief to be increased
to ₹10,000 (US$130).[71]