Cyclone Michaung is forecast to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday at noon, drenching Chennai with intense rain triggering severe flooding. Most parts of Chennai city remain submerged under the heavy rainfall unleashed by the severe cyclone system currently over the Bay of Bengal. Schools, colleges, and government offices in Chennai and three adjoining districts remain closed today, and the state government has urged private companies to allow their employees to work from home. With Michaung expected to hammer the Andhra coast, low-lying Chennai areas were already flooded from the heavy downpour ahead of the potential onslaught. In view of the fast-approaching Cyclone Michaung, the Tamil Nadu government has issued an advisory asking people to stay indoors. BJP President JP Nadda said BJP workers will also aid in rescue and relief work facing the fast-approaching storm. With key cyclone landfall imminent, prior torrential rains flood Chennai amid precautions to assist stranded residents urgently.

Indonesian rescuers have recovered the bodies of 11 hikers following the eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra. The volcano, on the third-highest alert level, spewed a three-kilometer ash column, triggering evacuations. Three survivors were found, but 12 climbers remain missing. Abdul Malik, head of Padang Search and Rescue Agency told AFP that there were a total of 75 hikers on the mountain from Saturday. “There are 26 people who have not been evacuated, we have found 14 of them, three were found alive and 11 were found dead,” Malik detailed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome in the Lok Sabha as the Winter Session of Parliament commenced, following the BJP's triumph in assembly polls across three heartland states. Chants of "teesri bar Modi sarkar" resonated as BJP MPs celebrated their electoral victories, retaining power in Madhya Pradesh and securing wins in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The absence of projected chief ministerial faces underscored the party's focus on collective leadership. The Winter Session, spanning 15 sittings until December 22, promises crucial discussions amid the political landscape reshaped by the recent poll outcomes.

Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in a trainer aircraft crash in Telangana's Medak district today. The aircraft had taken off from the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad on a routine training mission when the accident occurred. Both the trainer and trainee pilots onboard sustained fatal injuries as per the Air Force. A probe has been ordered to ascertain the reasons behind the crash of the Pilatus PC 7 Mk II aircraft. This is the second fatal air crash involving IAF in less than a week, after a fighter jet crash in Rajasthan killed a wing commander last Thursday. The Air Force has expressed regret at the deaths of its two pilots in Telangana.

Heavy overnight rains pounded Chennai as cyclone Michaung closed in, leaving two dead after a wall collapse. With extremely heavy rain forecast over 24 hours, NDRF and SDRF have been mobilized while 14 subways got shut over flooding. Water exceeded danger levels on one bridge, forcing suspension of 6 trains. Most parts of Chennai recorded over 100mm rainfall, triggering power cuts and waterlogging, while neighboring districts also saw heavy rains. The cyclone heading toward Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh coast has led to flight cancellations too. Authorities are on high alert to mitigate risks from the severe rains still intensifying under Michaung's influence. (Image Courtesy: @UpdatesChennai on X)

The winter session of Parliament begins today with the ruling BJP seeking to corner the opposition over recent state poll victories. However, the spotlight will also be on an ethics panel report on Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra amid allegations of receiving cash and expensive gifts for raising parliamentary questions. The report will be tabled in Lok Sabha today. Additionally, the government has presented a heavy legislative agenda including overhaul of colonial-era criminal laws and a bill on appointments to the Election Commission. Meanwhile, the opposition seeks discussions on issues like the Manipur situation, inflation and alleged misuse of agencies like ED. But BJP's electoral dominance may limit scope for criticism.

Ahead of the winter parliamentary session, Prime Minister Modi advised the opposition to engage in constructive discussion rather than vent their anger over electoral defeats. Referring to the BJP's strong performance in state polls, PM Modi said opposition parties should learn from their losses and avoid negativity. He stated the poll results are encouraging for those committed to people's welfare and India's development. However, PM Modi said parliament is meant for meaningful debate and so opposition MPs should discuss issues positively rather than disrupt proceedings due to resentment over their defeat in state elections. He implied that hostility will be counterproductive.

Indian equity markets rallied to record highs on Monday, with benchmark Sensex surging over 1,000 points and Nifty climbing more than 300 points in early trade. The surge comes a day after the BJP emerged victorious in state election results, retaining power in Madhya Pradesh and wresting control of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh from Congress. However, Congress defeated KCR's BRS to flip Telangana. The strong electoral showing for PM Modi's BJP has sparked a rally in equities, underscoring optimism in its pro-growth policy agenda which cheered investors. Markets are seeing additional gains building on an already positive momentum.

India is among the top 20 countries worst hit by dengue in 2023, recording more cases and deaths than the annual average of the past five years, according to a new report by Save the Children. The aid agency report states that between January to November 2023, around 5 million dengue cases were reported across 20 high-burden countries, a 30% increase versus 2022. With over 5,500 fatalities, deaths rose 32% year-on-year. Actual figures are likely higher with underreporting. Bangladesh faced its worst outbreak on record with over 300,000 infections and 1,598 deaths in 2023 alone, over 5 times higher than last year. Save the Children has called for localized action plans to control mosquitoes, boost diagnosis and treatment as a cross-government effort.

Cyclone Michaung, brewing over the Bay of Bengal, has triggered heavy rainfall and disruption across Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. Educational institutions have been shut for two days in Andhra Pradesh's NTR district and the Union Territory of Puducherry as more intense rain is forecast. Tamil Nadu has advised private companies to allow staff to work from home to avoid risk. Chennai is already witnessing waterlogging and floods, with the St Thomas metro station inundated under 4 feet of water, cutting off access. Despite disruptions, metro trains are running to schedule. The Greater Chennai Corporation has urged residents to stay indoors given heightened risk of flooding on roads. Cyclone Michaung, named by Myanmar to signify strength and resilience, is expected to intensify rains and strong winds along the Tamil Nadu coast until December 5.