Chennai: Severe cyclonic storm Cyclone Michaung is likely to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday(December 5, 2023), keeping the authorities in the southern state on high alert.

Heavy rains have been reported in Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai for the past several days.

Five deaths have been reported from Chennai due to rain-related incidents.

India Meteorological Department posted on X: "Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamilnadu coasts moved northwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0530 hours IST of today, the 5th December,2023."

"As the system is nearly moving northwards close to coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lies overland. The system is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam," the department said.

In Tamil Nadu, most parts of the city remain submerged, with heavy inundation in low-lying areas.

As many as 12 relief camps have been set up for the rain-affected victims in Mogaltru and Narasapuram mandals of the West Godavari district as the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla on Tuesday.

The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday for all educational institutions, government and private offices, financial institutions and banks in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts.

Authorities have set up nearly 5,000 relief centres in coastal districts to assist those affected by the heavy rain that lashed the city and its neighboring districts overnight.

Chief Minister MK Stalin reviewed the safety measures last night and is closely monitoring the situation.

"The state machine is ready to face Cyclone Michaung. Ministers and officials are in the field. The public must adhere to the safety protocols provided. I also request that the public should not come out without essential needs until the impact of the storm subsides," Chief Minister Stalin posted on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Stalin about the impact of the cyclone and assured him of assistance for damages.

To aid in relief and rescue efforts, authorities have stationed eight NDRF and nine SDRF teams in the affected districts of Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu.

The water discharge from the Chembarambakkam reservoir outside Chennai has been reduced to 1500 cusecs to mitigate the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.