A severe weather warning has been issued for the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as Cyclone Meghalum continues to cause havoc in the region.
In Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, roads have been submerged under water and the airport has been flooded, forcing the cancellation of all flights. Strong winds and heavy rain have also been reported, and there are fears that the situation could worsen in the coming hours.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Meghalum is likely to make landfall near Chennai on Wednesday morning. The storm is expected to bring with it winds of up to 120 km/h and rainfall of up to 200 mm.
Evacuations ordered
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the evacuation of people living in low-lying areas, and has opened relief shelters in schools and community halls. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed to the affected areas.
Flights cancelled
All flights to and from Chennai airport have been cancelled for the next 24 hours. The airport has been flooded and the runway is under water.
Train services disrupted
Train services in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have also been disrupted. Several trains have been cancelled and others have been diverted.
Schools and colleges closed
All schools and colleges in Chennai and other affected areas have been closed for the next two days.
People urged to stay indoors
The IMD has urged people to stay indoors and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. They have also warned of the risk of landslides and flash floods.
The situation is likely to worsen in the coming hours
The IMD has warned that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming hours as Meghalum makes landfall. They have urged people to stay alert and follow the instructions of the authorities.
