Amaravati: Cyclone ‘Murasu’, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, intensified further early this morning, evolving into a severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the cyclone is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur—sometime between midnight tonight and the early hours of November 3.
At the time of landfall, wind speeds are expected to range between 100 and 110 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 120 kmph. The Meteorological Department has also indicated that the system could intensify into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ before striking the Andhra coast. The name ‘Murasu’ was proposed by India.
Flight Cancellations:
Due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, more than 20 flights have been cancelled in Chennai. A full holiday has been declared today for schools and colleges in the Chennai and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu. Similarly, an ‘Orange Alert’ has been issued for 6 districts and a ‘Yellow Alert’ for 5 districts in the state of Telangana, with forecasts indicating heavy rainfall. A high alert has also been declared in the state of Odisha, alongside Andhra Pradesh.
People residing in vulnerable and low-lying areas are being evacuated to safer locations. Close monitoring is underway in the Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts of southern Odisha, where over 300 personnel from the NDRF, ODRF, and the Fire Department have been deployed.
With the cyclone expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh tonight, 6 NDRF teams and 7 SDRF teams have been kept on standby for emergency operations. Anticipating significant damage to the power infrastructure—including the potential collapse of utility poles—Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has held discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
He requested the deployment of personnel and machinery required for power restoration efforts. Both leaders responded positively, assuring that all necessary assistance would be provided to Andhra Pradesh. In the month of November, most parts of the country are expected to receive less rainfall than normal, while temperatures are likely to be higher than usual. Even as Andhra Pradesh is still recovering from the impact of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, it now faces the threat of Cyclone ‘Murasu’.