Cyclone Murasu makes landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu hit the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole on Tuesday morning with winds gusting up to 120 kmph.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu began making landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast around 1 am on Tuesday, November 3, according to reports from ANI and Times Now. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the cyclone's eye crossed the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole in Prakasam district.
The IMD reported gale winds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. A storm surge of 1.0-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas in south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the maximum peak surge likely over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to remain on high alert to ensure no loss of life. Naidu instructed staff at Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward offices to disseminate cyclone information at the grassroots level and told electricity department staff to prepare for prompt power restoration.
In response to the storm, three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel have been deployed to Nellore, Prakasam, and Markapuram. Flight operations have been disrupted, with 11 flights cancelled at Chennai airport and at least 19 domestic flights cancelled across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports on Monday.
Odisha has also been placed on high alert, with more than 300 rescue teams positioned across vulnerable areas. Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri are likely to be affected by the cyclone.