Cyclone Michaung wreaks havoc in Andhra Coastal Region

The severe cyclonic storm Michaung, which had made landfall near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh, resulted in torrential rains and caused extensive destruction in at least six coastal districts, disrupting the transport and communication networks and damaging standing crops. Gusty winds, ranging from 90 kmph to 110 kmph, lashed the coastline, and an official from the state's cyclone warning center mentioned that the storm is expected to gradually weaken. Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Bapatla, and Krishna districts experienced very heavy rains, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials warning of continued heavy rains across the coastal and Rayalaseema regions in the next 24 hours. West Godavari and Konaseema districts also witnessed heavy rains on Tuesday afternoon. In the coastal region, trees and electric poles were uprooted at various locations, and relief teams are actively involved in clearing the debris. An official from the agriculture department stated, Standing crops in thousands of acres have been damaged. Responding to the situation, the state government deployed 50 special teams in Bapatla to undertake cyclone relief measures. As a precautionary measure, people from low-lying areas were relocated to relief camps established in schools and government office buildings in the district. In Bapatla alone, over 1,350 people have been moved to 27 relief camps. District collector P Ranjit Bhasha instructed officials to visit 111 villages severely impacted by the cyclone, while agriculture department officials conducted field visits to assess crop damage. Residents in coastal areas, including Repalle, Vemuru, Bapatla, and Nizampatnam, were advised not to venture out.