Cyclone Murasu to make landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have shut schools as the severe cyclonic storm approaches landfall.
Cyclone Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, between late November 2 and early November 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm is forecast to bring winds of 100–110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, at the time of landfall, reported Business Standard.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra said on Sunday that the cyclone is likely to hit the Andhra coastline on the morning of November 3. The system, which means 'war drum', intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by the early hours of November 2, according to Business Standard.
In response to the weather warning, schools and colleges have been closed in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, including NTR, Palnadu, Nellore and Gudur. In Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Tiruvallur district administrations declared a holiday for educational institutions on November 2, while Malkangiri district in Odisha announced closures from November 2 to 4, reported Business Standard.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Telangana has issued orange and yellow rainfall alerts for multiple districts, including Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials on Sunday to remain fully prepared for relief and rescue operations. The Indian Express reported that Naidu instructed officials to keep adequate manpower and equipment ready and shift materials to vulnerable areas in advance.