Cyclone Michaung [UPSC Current Affairs]

Cyclone Michaung made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on 5 December 2023. Incessant rains as a result of this have taken lives in Chennai city. In this article, you can read all about the Michaung Cyclone from the IAS exam perspective.

Cyclone Michaung

Cyclone Michaung made landfall on 5th December in Bapatla between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh as a “super cyclonic” storm. The tropical cyclone had formed over the Bay of Bengal off the southeast coast of India.

• A day before it made landfall, it had caused intense rainfall in northern Tamil Nadu leading to flooding and water-logging in Chennai and rain-related incidents.
• Transport was also affected owing to the cancellations of trains and the closure of the airport on the 4th.
• Heavy rainfall was also experienced in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• By 6th December,  ‘Michaung’ had weakened into a ‘deep depression’ over central coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu on the 7th due to severe flooding caused by the Michaung cyclone.
• The Indian Air Force carried out relief activities in the flood-affected areas.
• Continuous rainfall and flooding affected crops in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• Educational institutions were shut down on account of the rainfall and flooding.
• Even as rain stopped, people continued to grapple in the aftermath of the calamity. Electricity was cut off and roads remained inundated in many areas.
• Normal life was also affected in Jharkhand due to the intermittent rains.
• To manage the situation and provide early relief to citizens the central government released funds to the State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF) of both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• About 17 people lost their lives in Chennai owing to the cyclone and its effects.

Read more about disaster management in India in the link.

Cyclone Michaung Origins

Towards the end of November 2023, a low-pressure area reached the Bay of Bengal from the Gulf of Thailand. On 2 December, the depression intensified into a deep depression located about 440 kilometres east-southeast of Puducherry. After that, the system intensified into a cyclonic storm and was given the name ‘Michaung’. On 4th Dec, it approached the coast of Tamil Nadu with winds of 110 kmph indicating a high-end tropical storm. It made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on the 5th and weakened as it moved inwards. 

Chennai and Floods – Cyclone Michaung

This is the third such urban flooding incident occurring in Chennai in the last eight years. The Prime Minister approved the first urban flood mitigation project of Rs. 561.29 crore for the ‘Integrated Urban Flood Management Activities for Chennai Basin Project’ under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). This also includes a Rs. 500 crore central assistance.

Also read: Cyclone Nivar

Who Named Cyclone Michaung?

Michaung was named by Myanmar according to the tropical cyclone naming convention. The word ‘Michaung’ means ‘strength and resilience’.

• Tropical cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea are covered under the North Indian Ocean Region. Countries in this region are India, Bangladesh, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.
• The naming of tropical cyclones in this region started in 2004.
• Here, the names are not repeated. Once used, the name will not be used again, and new names will be used.
• In 2020, a new list of cyclone names was issued by IMD, following WMO guidelines. 
• The new list consists of 13 names each for the 13 member countries, totalling 169. 
• The names from India include Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, Ghurni, Ambud, Jaladhi and Vega.
• The RSMC New Delhi Tropical Cyclone Centre is responsible for naming the tropical cyclones that have formed over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea when they have reached the relevant intensity.