Severe cyclonic storm Murasu intensifies over Bay of Bengal
Chennai and Tiruvallur schools are closed on Monday as the storm moves towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Cyclonic storm Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the West Central and Southwest Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday, November 2, according to The Hindu. The system is expected to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole with wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
In Tamil Nadu, schools and colleges in Chennai will remain closed on Monday, as reported by NDTV Profit. Tiruvallur has also declared a holiday for schools as a precaution, while schools and colleges in Chengalpattu will function as usual, according to local media reports cited by Mint.
The Regional Meteorological Centre predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places across Chennai and Tiruvallur on Monday. Heavy rain is expected to continue in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris, while the intensity is expected to taper off by November 3.
In Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Monday in Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts. An orange alert was issued for East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Palnadu, Tirupati and Chittoor.
The Deccan Chronicle reported that the Andhra Pradesh government has increased preparedness in coastal and Rayalaseema regions. The storm is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur between the midnight of November 2 and the early hours of November 3.