Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole with 120 kmph winds
The severe cyclonic storm hit the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and gale-force winds.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began making landfall near Ongole in the Prakasam district at approximately 1 am on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm brought heavy rainfall and gale-force winds reaching 110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, Financial Express reported.
The IMD stated that the landfall process commenced at 0100 hours IST on November 3. As of 1:30 am, the cyclone was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, positioned roughly 40 km southeast of Ongole, 60 km northeast of Kavali, and 70 km south of Bapatla.
A storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was expected to flood low-lying areas in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh until Wednesday morning. The maximum peak surge was anticipated over the Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
Ahead of the storm, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed emergency response arrangements and cancelled a scheduled visit to Delhi. He directed officials to remain alert for heavy rainfall in the South coastal region and Rayalaseema district.
In preparation for the impact, Tamil Nadu sent three NDRF teams and 25 electricity department teams to Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka also announced it would deploy 500 skilled power personnel to assist in restoring infrastructure.