Cyclone Michaung pounded the southern coast of India on Tuesday with fierce winds, following torrential rains and floods that claimed the lives of at least 13 people. As officials evaluated the aftermath, tall waves engulfed southern coastal towns over the past two days, submerging entire villages and disrupting transportation, impacting over 390,000 individuals.
Michaung brought winds of up to 70 mph, slightly decreasing as the cyclone weakened from the ‘severe’ category, according to the Indian weather office.
The cyclone moved northwards, uprooting trees and flooding at least 25 villages. Authorities have evacuated over 15,000 people to safety before landfall, as confirmed by the Andhra Pradesh government. Zahid Khan, a National Disaster Response Force official, stated that all necessary measures and equipment had been deployed, with precautionary broadcasts made to the public.
Among the 13 fatalities, a 4-year-old boy lost his life when a wall collapsed. The state experienced widespread disruptions, with over 140 trains and 40 flights canceled. The weather office forecasts up to eight inches of rain in the state over the next 24 hours.
