Severe cyclonic storm Murasu to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh
The storm is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 11:30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu strengthened over the Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday and is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 11:30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday, November 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD stated the storm is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. The storm was moving west-northwestwards at 25 kmph as of 5:30 am on Monday, according to the Financial Express.
In response to the storm, IndiGo cancelled 10 services from Gannavaram Airport in Vijayawada, and some flights in Chennai were also cancelled. In Tamil Nadu, district administrations in Chennai and Tiruvallur declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on Monday due to heavy rain forecasts.
Odisha has expedited the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas. Disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri are on high alert, with over 300 NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service teams pre-positioned.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Bapatla district administration has stepped up preparedness. The NDRF has also deployed three teams from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh to assist with the cyclone's impact.