Cyclone Michaung: Visuals of flooded Chennai airport go viral - Planes grounded, flights cancelled

Heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging in Chennai as cyclone Michaung approaches the North coast of Tamil Nadu before it heads towards Andhra Pradesh.

Videos show the roads flooded, and cars submerged, with authorities ordering the closure of schools, colleges, and government offices.

Pictures and clips going viral on X showed Madras International Meenambakkam Airport flooded with ankle-deep water on the runways. The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 am to 11.40 am. A post by the official handle of Chennai airport stated that no flights will be operational till 11 pm today due to severe weather conditions.

Chennai airport has suspended operations, with 12 domestic outbound flights and four international flights being cancelled. Three incoming international flights were diverted to Bengaluru due to the weather conditions.

Videos shows flights grounded as rainwater entered the airport runway, prompting authorities to order its closure till 11 pm tonight.

Chennai and its neighbouring districts are reeling under a spell of heavy rain as Cyclone Michaung continues to wreak havoc along India’s southern coast. Several pictures and videos shared on X by social media users showed severe flooding and various areas of the city completely submerged. A viral picture also showed inundation at the Chennai airport.

Pictures and clips going viral on X showed Madras International Meenambakkam Airport flooded with ankle-deep water on the runways. The Chennai airport operations were suspended from 9.40 am to 11.40 am, PTI reported.

Several areas in the city saw power outage and internet disruptions as rain continued to pound the region. "A public holiday has been declared in Chennai today," officials said.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain in Chennai and surrounding areas for the next 24 hours. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow noon.

Five southern Odisha districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam - have also been put on alert.