Cyclone Murasu likely to hit Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3
A depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, according to the IMD.
A depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Murasu and may make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of Tuesday, November 3, according to reports by India Today, The New Indian Express and Business Standard.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the system could produce sustained wind speeds of 80 to 90 kmph, with gusts reaching 100 kmph. This would make it the second cyclonic storm to emerge from the Bay of Bengal this year, following Cyclone Arnab.
The weather department has forecast very heavy rainfall for Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 2 and 3, with some areas potentially seeing extremely heavy rain. South Odisha is also expected to receive heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned that sea conditions in the west-central, south-east and central Bay of Bengal could be extremely dangerous for small vessels. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore until at least Wednesday afternoon.
In Odisha, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government has prepared to evacuate residents from areas at risk of landslides. Discussions were held with officials in districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal.
The warning follows Cyclone Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on October 28. That storm brought winds of approximately 130 kmph and resulted in at least three deaths, according to India Today.