Chennai, 10th December 2022: Cyclone Mandous has caused havoc after hitting the Mamallapuram coast of Chennai. After passing through the Mamallapuram coast, the cyclonic storm affected the city and surrounding areas and even uprooted more than 400 trees. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the storm hit the coast on the intervening night of December 9 and 10 with a wind speed of 70 kmph.
The CM said that four people have died due to the storm. Water-logging was also witnessed near Marina Beach, and food stalls were damaged. Addressing a press conference, Stalin said the government assessed the situation and all preventive measures are being taken to prevent major losses. He said that various civic agencies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation, were engaged in removing the fallen trees so that life could return to normal. Stalin said that with advanced planning, this government proved that any disaster can be managed.
Around 400 trees have fallen due to strong winds. The power supply has also been affected as many trees have fallen on electric poles. Electricity poles and transformers have been damaged due to the cyclone and electricity has been turned off at 600 places. According to the government, the clean-up work is going on in full swing, and around 25,000 people are engaged in disaster management operations. However, IMD Chennai said in a tweet that cyclonic storm Mandous has now weakened after hitting the northern Tamil Nadu coast.
Chief Minister Stalin said the damage was being assessed and central assistance may be sought if required. Earlier, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KK SSR Ramachandran said that over 9,000 people have been kept in 205 relief centres. Between 6 am on Friday and 6 am today, 30 domestic and international flights were also cancelled, affecting operations.
The cyclonic storm Mandous has weakened into a deep depression on the northern Tamil Nadu coast, the Meteorological Department said. It moved west-northwestwards till the afternoon of 10 December and gradually weakened into a depression. CM Stalin, who reached the Kasimedu area to review the impact of the cyclone, said that the government had taken several precautionary measures.
The damage caused by the cyclone in Tamil Nadu is yet to be ascertained, but 9,000 people have taken shelter in 205 relief camps. As many as 30 domestic and international flights were cancelled from 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday. At the same time, the airport had to be closed for some time in the morning.