Cyclone Murasu: 19 flights cancelled in Andhra Pradesh
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled across three airports as the severe cyclonic storm approaches the coast.
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports on Monday as severe cyclonic storm Murasu approached the Andhra Pradesh coast, according to reports by Urban Acres, India Today and Deccan Chronicle.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narasapur during the intervening night of November 2 and November 3. The storm is predicted to have sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
At Vijayawada Airport, director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said IndiGo cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express cancelled two. An official from the GMR Group stated that four flights were cancelled at Visakhapatnam Airport.
Tirupati Airport director D Boominathan noted that IndiGo cancelled flights connecting the airport with Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert to prevent loss of life and property. He noted the impact might be limited compared to Cyclone Arnab but stressed the need for precautionary arrangements.
The state government has also made arrangements for electricity restoration, with 31,000 electricity poles dispatched from Srikakulam to Krishna district. The Chief Minister directed officials to complete post-cyclone restoration within 48 hours.