Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole with high winds and rain
The severe cyclonic storm brought gale-force winds of up to 120 kmph to the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process near Ongole in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh around 1 am on November 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm brought heavy rainfall and gale winds reaching 110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, according to reports by Deccan Herald and Mint.
The IMD stated that the landfall point was expected to be between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. As of 1:30 am, the cyclone was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, approximately 40 km southeast of Ongole, 60 km northeast of Kavali, and 70 km south of Bapatla.
K Nagaratna, Director of Andhra IMD, told ANI that red warnings have been issued for Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, NTR, and Prakasam districts. He noted that heavy rainfall is likely in coastal and south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
A storm surge of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was expected to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh until Tuesday morning. The maximum peak surge was anticipated over the Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
Nagaratna advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until the morning of November 4. He added that there is a total suspension of offshore and onshore operations until they are reviewed based on IMD warnings.