Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast with 120 kmph winds forecast
Authorities have placed Andhra Pradesh on high alert as 19 domestic flights were cancelled ahead of the storm's expected landfall.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting landfall between Nellore and Narsapur between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. According to reports from India Today and Urban Acres, the storm is expected to bring winds of 100-120 kmph and heavy to very heavy rainfall to several districts.
The impact of the cyclone has already led to the cancellation of at least 19 domestic flights across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports. Vijayawada Airport Director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy stated that IndiGo cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express cancelled two, while four flights were cancelled at Visakhapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert to prevent loss of life and property. Naidu requested that post-cyclone restoration work be completed within 48 hours and asked officials to manage water storage in reservoirs across the South Coastal and Rayalaseema basins.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported that the cyclone was moving at a speed of 12 kmph as of Monday evening. Heavy rainfall is expected in West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Markapuram, and Nellore districts, with Palnadu likely to receive the highest rainfall at approximately 30 cm.
In response to the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 37 teams across five states, including 13 in Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced that his state would deploy 500 skilled powermen to assist with power restoration in Andhra Pradesh.