Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole with 120 kmph winds
The severe cyclonic storm began crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and high winds.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process near Ongole in Prakasam district at 1 am on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, as reported by Urban Acres and Deccan Herald.
The IMD stated that the landfall process commenced at 0100 hours IST on November 3, with the forward sector of the wall cloud entering the coast. The system is bringing gale-force winds of up to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.
Heavy rainfall is expected across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh over the next 12 hours. The IMD also warned of a storm surge of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide, which may inundate low-lying areas in Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts until Wednesday morning.
The cyclone's impact extends to other regions, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for Rayalaseema and parts of Telangana. Odisha is expected to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3, while Rayagada district is under an orange warning for November 3 and 4.
In Tamil Nadu, heavy rain was warned for north areas including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu. Other states likely to see rain include Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and coastal Karnataka.