Severe cyclone Murasu to hit south Andhra Pradesh coast by Tuesday
The storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm was moving northwestwards at 20 kmph and was located approximately 290 km east-southeast of Nellore as of 2.30 am on November 2, ANI reported.
The cyclone is predicted to bring sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph. The system is under continuous surveillance by Doppler Weather Radars at Chennai, Machilipatnam, and Visakhapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to stay alert for relief and rescue operations as moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. Naidu noted that the storm's impact on the coast would likely be limited and that wind speeds and rainfall intensity should be lower than those of Cyclone Arnab.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to manage rainfall effectively to fill reservoirs and to take robust measures to prevent loss of life or property. Preliminary estimates suggest strong winds could damage approximately 15,128 electricity poles across 12 districts.
In Tamil Nadu, district collectors have been told to prepare for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated heavy rain forecast for Chennai and Tiruvallur on November 2. Meanwhile, Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated the state is fully prepared and has issued a high alert for southern districts.