India Closes Schools and Government Offices, Evacuates Thousands as Cyclone Mithun Approaches

Authorities in southern India closed schools and government offices, suspended flights, and evacuated coastal areas on Monday in anticipation of a severe cyclonic storm expected to make landfall within the next twenty-four hours, bringing heavy rainfall. The meteorological office reported that Cyclone Mithun is expected to reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh in southern India on Tuesday morning with winds speeds between 90 and 100 kilometers per hour, potentially increasing to 110 kilometers. Officials in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu stated that both states are on high alert for potential damage and have issued warnings for fishermen not to venture into the sea. A senior official from the disaster management department in Andhra Pradesh told Reuters that the state authorities have evacuated around seven thousand people in eight coastal areas and are preparing to evacuate a total of 28,000 people based on the cyclone's path and intensity. In Tamil Nadu, authorities declared a public holiday in four coastal regions and advised residents in Chennai, the state capital, not to venture outside unless absolutely necessary. Media reports indicated that Chennai Airport halted operations for two hours on Monday morning due to heavy rainfall in the city, leading to the cancellation or diversion of several flights to other cities.