Severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast early Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region. Track live updates
The storm crossed the coastline near Ongole in Prakasam district at around 1am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, after moving across the west-central Bay of Bengal. The storm comes less than a week after Cyclone Arnab affected parts of India’s eastern coast. Andhra Pradesh had stepped up evacuation and disaster management measures ahead of the cyclone’s arrival. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure that rescue, relief and restoration arrangements were in place. The state government had also taken precautionary measures to protect irrigation infrastructure, reservoirs and agricultural land. The administration is now assessing the extent of damage to electricity networks, roads, houses and crops. The IMD had forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, with extremely heavy rainfall possible at isolated locations. The warning covered vulnerable stretches of the coast, including parts of Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, while several other states are also likely to witness rain and thunderstorms.
It brought sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, according to the IMD’s forecast before landfall. Around 2,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable coastal areas, with the administration planning to move approximately 30,000 people to safer locations, as per PTI. Earlier, over 1.6 lakh people were evacuated from five vulnerable districts of Odisha by 6 pm on Monday ahead of cyclone Murasu’s landfall, with Ganjam accounting for around 1.5 lakh of those evacuated. At least 1.4 lakh more people are expected to be moved to safer locations as the state steps up its preparations to deal with the cyclone, HT has learnt. Around 31,000 electricity poles had been dispatched to facilitate restoration work in case the storm damaged power infrastructure. Before landfall, the IMD had warned of a storm surge of around 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide in low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Earlier reporting noted: Weather tomorrow: IMD warns of heavy rain, thunderstorms in 16 states; Cyclone Murasu approaches Andhra coast, winds up to 120 kmph likely A severe cyclonic storm, dubbed Murasu, is projected to soon lash the Andhra Pradesh coastline, according to the IMD Earlier reporting noted: NEW DELHI: The IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and rainfall across several states over the next few days, with severe cyclonic storm Murasu likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Tuesday. Earlier reporting noted: The weather department said Murasu, which intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, was moving northwestwards at a speed of around 20 kmph. At 2.30am on Monday (November 2), the storm was centred about 260 km east-northeast of Chennai and 290 km east-southeast of Nellore.
Passengers have been advised to check with airlines and railway authorities for updated schedules and service information. Telangana was also expected to receive heavy rainfall as the weather system moves inland after crossing the coast. Parts of Tamil Nadu, south Odisha and Chhattisgarh were also under a weather alert. The weather department has warned that rainfall activity could continue even after landfall, as the cyclone weakens and moves inland. Cyclone Murasu disrupted air and rail services ahead of its landfall. Railway authorities also cancelled nine trains as a precautionary measure ahead of the cyclone’s arrival. Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri were among the districts expected to receive heavy rainfall. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services were kept ready for emergency operations. The back-to-back cyclones have raised concerns over further damage to agriculture and infrastructure, particularly in areas still recovering from Cyclone Arnab. Fishermen had been advised not to venture into the sea, with rough conditions expected over the west-central Bay of Bengal and along the Andhra Pradesh coast. The IMD is continuing to monitor the system and is expected to issue further updates on its movement, intensity and rainfall forecast as Murasu weakens over land.
Because of adverse weather conditions, at least 30 domestic flights were cancelled on Monday across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Chennai airports. Odisha had moved more than 1.6 lakh people to safer locations as a precaution, with several southern districts placed on alert. Tamil Nadu had also extended assistance to Andhra Pradesh by sending three NDRF teams comprising 90 personnel and electricity department teams with 500 personnel to support rescue and power restoration work.
