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Chennai Ports brace for impact as Cyclone Michaung hits Indian Coast
Chennai faced a temporary shutdown of all its ports on Monday (4 December) as a precautionary measure against the disruption caused by 'CYCLONE MICHAUNG'. Weather forecasts indicated that the cyclone was anticipated to hit the Chennai coastline on Tuesday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a warning that the cyclone was likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday afternoon.
Already classified as a severe storm, the cyclone brought heavy rains and flooding to the port city, disrupting transportation links significantly. Vessel berthing and cargo movements at Chennai, Kattupalli and Ennore were suspended, with port gates expected to remain closed until further notice, according to a ship agent in Chennai. In response to the adverse weather conditions, several organisations instructed their employees to work from home based on safety guidelines issued by local authorities. Power cuts and network issues persist across the region.
The impact of the cyclonic storm extended beyond the ports, affecting road transport, trains and flight services in Chennai, which came to a standstill as reported. The situation called for heightened precautionary measures and adherence to safety guidelines amid the ongoing weather challenges in the region.