Andhra Pradesh CM reviews preparedness for Cyclone Murusu
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu cancelled his Delhi visit to monitor cyclone readiness and rainfall forecasts.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met with senior officials and district collectors at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre on Monday to review preparations for Cyclone Murusu. According to ANI, the Chief Minister instructed the administration to stay vigilant as moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated in the Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cyclone alert for the Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu coasts after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified. The cyclone is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between the midnight of November 2 and the early morning of November 3. Wind speeds are projected to reach 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
Naidu, who cancelled a scheduled visit to Delhi, noted that the impact of Cyclone Murusu on the coast is likely to be relatively limited compared to Cyclone Arnab. He requested that officials use the rainfall to fill reservoirs and tanks in districts facing rainfall deficits, including Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore, and Markapuram.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that 31,000 electricity poles have been sent from Srikakulam to Krishna district. While some estimates suggest 8,000 poles in South Coastal and Rayalaseema districts could be damaged, Telangana Today reported that preliminary estimates suggest wind damage could affect between 12,102 and 15,128 poles across 12 districts.
The Chief Minister ordered that post-cyclone restoration work must be finished within 48 hours. He also called for the acceleration of input subsidy and crop insurance compensation processes.