India’s east coast ports operation disrupts off the back of Cyclone Michaung

CHENNAI : Volunteers waded through stagnant water to hand out food and supplies, and some manufacturing plants remained shut in India’s southern tech-and-auto hub district of Chennai on Friday, four days after Cyclone Michaung lashed the coast.

As per reports, the southern Indian coastal state of Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the cyclone. However, the damage was relatively contained, with roads damaged and trees uprooted as big waves crashed into the coast.

The cyclone itself made landfall further north in Andhra Pradesh state on Tuesday afternoon.

Adani Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh, said on Friday the cyclone had “very badly affected” its operations and it was declaring a force majeure period starting Dec. 3.

Force majeure is a notice used to describe events outside a company’s control, such as a natural disaster, which usually releases it from contractual obligation without penalty.

The flow of containers in and out of southern Indian ports has been severely disrupted by Cyclone Michaung which leaves behind a trail of destruction.

Chennai Port, Kattupalli Port and Ennore Port, the three key container ports along the country’s east coast corridor, had to halt operations for three days. With power lines knocked out, port authorities had serious challenges reopening full-scale operations. According to industry sources, while the three ports resumed vessel berthing, export/import cargo flows have been minimal.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu wrote “The floodwaters in Chennai’s suburbs are still inundated. Many people are working in the field to ensure that everyone gets basic necessities like food and milk. We are continuing our field work with the hope that the situation will improve soon.”

Adani Group, which manages Kattupalli Port and the Ennore container terminal, yesterday noted that restricted quayside services had resumed. It said: “We have one vessel each at both ports.”

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh visited Chennai on Thursday and announced New Delhi will release a second instalment of 4.5 billion rupees ($54 million) to Tamil Nadu to help manage the damage. The federal government has also approved a 5.6 billion-rupee project for flood management in Chennai, he said.