Cyclone Murasu to make landfall near Andhra Pradesh coast tonight
The severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narasapur with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur during the night of November 2 and 3, according to Telangana Today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the landfall is likely to occur south of Ongole between 11.30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday.
The storm is forecast to bring wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph. A storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide may inundate low-lying areas in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
The IMD has advised fishermen to stop all fishing activities in affected coastal areas. Authorities have also cautioned against using motorboats or small ships due to dangerous sea conditions. Fishermen have been warned not to enter the west-central Bay of Bengal or the Andhra Pradesh coast until the afternoon of November 4.
In response to the weather system, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reviewed preparedness and ordered officials to coordinate relief and rescue efforts. Six NDRF and seven SDRF teams have been deployed, while the NDRF 10th Battalion has prepared 14 teams for operations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Flight services have been impacted, with 11 flights at Chennai airport and 10 IndiGo flights from Gannavaram Airport cancelled. In Tamil Nadu, school and college closures were announced in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts due to heavy rains.