Cyclone Michaung Unleashes Fury on Andhra Pradesh: Four Lives Lost, Flood Alert Issued

Andhra Pradesh is reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Michaung, which has unleashed a torrent of relentless heavy rains, claiming at least four lives and plunging several districts into a state of emergency. The powerful storm, which made landfall near Bapatla, has left a trail of destruction, prompting widespread flood alerts and triggering a massive humanitarian response.

The tragic human cost of Michaung's fury is stark.

In Tirupati district, two individuals lost their lives – one in a harrowing wall collapse, and another due to electrocution. Similarly, Annamayya district reported two more fatalities, both also victims of electrocution as the surging waters and damaged infrastructure turned deadly. These incidents underscore the perilous conditions faced by residents as floodwaters inundate homes and disrupt essential services.

Chief Minister Y.S.

Jagan Mohan Reddy has been at the forefront of the crisis management, holding high-level reviews and issuing directives for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts. His orders include the swift payment of ex-gratia to the families of the deceased, a move aimed at providing some solace amidst their profound grief.

Furthermore, the state machinery has been tasked with accelerating relief operations, establishing safe evacuation centers, and ensuring the provision of food and medical supplies to those displaced.

The districts of Nellore, Tirupati, Prakasam, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Annamayya are bearing the brunt of Michaung's aftermath.

Roads have been transformed into rivers, bridges have been damaged, and agricultural lands lie submerged, threatening livelihoods. Thousands have been moved to 264 relief camps set up across the affected regions, a testament to the scale of the evacuations undertaken by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams.

While the cyclone has weakened into a deep depression, the immediate threat of heavy to very heavy rainfall persists in isolated areas, particularly in south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

Authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to exercise extreme caution and cooperate with emergency personnel. The focus now shifts from immediate rescue to long-term recovery, as Andhra Pradesh begins the daunting task of rebuilding and healing from the wounds inflicted by Cyclone Michaung.