Kolkata retained its tag as India's safest metro for the third straight year in the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, registering just 86.5 cognizable crimes per lakh population - the lowest among big cities. Cognisable crimes are those for which cases are registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and SLL (Special and Local Laws). Pune followed at 280.7 cognisable offences per lakh people with Hyderabad recording 299.2. In 2021, Kolkata's cognisable crime rate was 103.4, and 129.5 per lakh in 2020, indicating an improving trend in 2022.  However, crimes against women rose from 1,783 in 2021 to 1,890 in 2022. The analysis covered 19 cities with over 20 lakh residents. This year, the eastern metropolis also witnessed a drop in violent crimes with only 34 murder cases being reported, down from 45 last year. 

Severe Cyclone Michaung's landfall is currently underway with its eye close to Andhra's Bapatla as the cyclone nears completing its damaging crossing of the south coastal belt in India. An official said the cyclonic storm is moving nearly northwards parallel to the coast and will finish landfall over the next two hours. Michaung is unleashing intense 90-100 kmph winds with 110 kmph gusts. Nearly 10,000 people have evacuated to 211 relief shelters across 7 districts facing the storm's fury. With heavy rains forecast during landfall, Andhra farmers frantically shifted harvested paddy from fields to protect crops from inundation. CM Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to treat Michaung as a major threat and avoid casualties and property loss while immediately calculating crop damage post-landfall. As the most severe December cyclone in decades slams Andhra Pradesh, the state scrambles to shelter displaced citizens and farmers work overnight to save standing grain fields from the heavy coastal deluge. [Video Courtesy: ANI X handle]

Cyclone Michaung made a devastating landfall near Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, wreaking havoc after unleashing rain chaos in Tamil Nadu. With at least eight casualties reported in rain-related incidents in Chennai, the storm surge threatens south coastal Andhra Pradesh. The cyclone, expected as a severe cyclonic storm with winds reaching 90-100 km/h (gusting up to 110 km/h), prompted an alert for eight Andhra districts. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy declared it a major challenge, urging precautionary measures. Evacuations and relief camps are in progress, while Home Minister Amit Shah assures central support. Coastal areas in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry remain on high alert, anticipating heavy rainfall.

Chennai Airport has recommenced operations post a brief shutdown caused by Cyclone Michaung's heavy rainfall. Before the reopening, 21 aircraft were grounded, leaving approximately 1500 passengers stranded. The airport management reported successful clearance of water stagnation on runways and taxiways, deploying Crash Fire Tenders for slush removal. All communication and air traffic facilities are functioning normally. Airlines are advised to prioritize departures for stranded passengers' clearance. Meanwhile, the cyclone, positioned over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall near Bapatla as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, maintaining wind speeds of 90-100 kmph.

Cyclone Michaung inflicts widespread havoc in Chennai, resulting in eight casualties and knee-deep waterlogging. Amidst the tumult, Chennai Airport temporarily suspends operations due to severe flooding but eventually resumes amidst persisting challenges. The cyclone, set to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam at 11 am, prompts Andhra Pradesh to evacuate nearly 900 residents from vulnerable coastal areas. Foxconn and Pegatron halt iPhone production near Chennai due to heavy rains. The Indian Railways readies for potential disruptions. With the cyclone's severity expected to persist until December 6, heightened preparedness and relief measures are crucial in facing this unprecedented natural disaster.

Cyclone Michaung, a severe cyclonic storm, is set to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh at 11 am, wreaking havoc in its wake. The storm has already claimed eight lives in Chennai due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. Roads turned into rivers, vehicles were swept away, and power outages disrupted normal life. Chennai airport's runway is flooded, leading to flight cancellations. Tamil Nadu government declares a public holiday in affected districts. Rescue operations, relief camps, and emergency measures are in place. The cyclone's impact extends to neighboring Andhra Pradesh, with authorities on high alert. Union Home Minister Amit Shah assures assistance.

As Cyclone Michaung looms over the Bay of Bengal, the Chennai Meteorological Centre predicts moderate rainfall, light thunderstorms, and lightning in ten districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The affected areas include Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Vellore, with isolated impacts in Tirupattur, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Kanyakumari. The cyclone, currently centered over the west coast, is expected to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday morning. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin monitors relief efforts as the approaching storm claims five lives, causing extensive waterlogging and disrupting public life in Chennai.

As Cyclone Michaung veers away from Chennai towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, a notable reduction in rainfall has been observed in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that the severe cyclonic storm is anticipated to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday morning. The storm, located 50 km southeast of Nellore and 130 km north of Chennai, is progressing northwest at 12 km/h. Flight operations in Chennai have been disrupted, with 12 flights canceled, affecting both departures and arrivals. Chennai airport remains closed till 9am on Tuesday. The excessive rainfall has led to chaos in Chennai, submerging areas and causing floodwaters to enter two government hospitals. 5 people have also been reported dead. Meanwhile, Jharkhand is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall until December 7 under Michaung's influence, according to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

Cyclone Michaung will make landfall around 5 AM Tuesday between Nellore and Machilipatnam, weather agencies stated. Districts across Tamil Nadu and Andhra received torrential pre-storm rainfall on Monday causing severe damage. Home Minister Amit Shah discussed readiness with CMs of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry promising "comprehensive central assistance." At least 5 died in Chennai in incidents like electrocution and trees falling. The Railways have set up emergency cells for managing the cyclonic threat across states. Light to moderate rain is forecast for parts of Odisha and Jharkhand as well. With landfall imminent, Tamil Nadu and Andhra brace for the storm's impact amid losses of life like in waterlogged Chennai. Multiple states including Jharkhand and Odhisa have activated their disaster response with the Home Minister vowing requisite aid against the severe cyclonic challenge.

The Indian Army stated it swiftly deployed around 135 personnel on Chennai's request to aid citizens hit by Cyclone Michaung's immense rainfall unleashed in the city. Equipped with essentials like boats and vehicles, Army teams successfully rescued about 300 residents during their operation inundated parts of the metropolis. Meanwhile, the Railways activated emergency control rooms across divisions to monitor the storm situation round-the-clock to ensure smooth functioning, reported ANI. It also set up a central war room with shifts of safety personnel keeping vigil. In upscale Poes Garden, a road itself caved in due to the intense showers and gusty winds blowing an electric pole into the sinkhole that emerged. Civic officials pointed to flooding evenly spread because sea wave backlash was slowing drainage despite deploying all pumping capacity. They expected time for normalcy would be about 12 hours if rains ceased though immense damage had already afflicted lives and infrastructure as Cyclone Michaung continued tormenting the city. [Video: @ashwinravi99 on X]