storm
Cyclone hits South India
People wade through a flooded road after heavy rains on the Bay of Bengal coast. photo
© Uncredited/AP
India regularly experiences storms that bring flooding, destruction and power outages. Experts say the likelihood of strong storms is increasing worldwide due to climate change.
Accidents related to heavy rain have killed at least eight people in the southern Indian metropolis of Chennai. Local media reported this on Tuesday, citing official information. The rainfall turned some roads into rivers, washing away vehicles, television images showed.
The city’s airport was also temporarily flooded, which led to the cancellation of several flights. In addition, the power supply partially collapsed. The precipitation came with the approaching Cyclone Michaung is expected to hit mainland India in the state of Andhra Pradesh in the afternoon (local time), with wind speeds of up to 100 km/h and heavy showers, according to the meteorological service.
Authorities in affected regions called on residents to stay indoors and work from home if possible. Schools remained closed in some places on Tuesday and fishermen were not supposed to go to sea. In the run-up to the storm, thousands of people in coastal areas were taken to temporary shelters for safety.