Cyclone Murasu kills two and damages crops in Andhra Pradesh
The severe cyclonic storm caused at least Rs 344 crore in losses and affected 52,459 hectares of crops across the state.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu hit the south coastal Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur early on Tuesday, killing at least two people and causing widespread destruction, according to Rediff and The Hindu.
The storm, which crossed the coast near Ongole with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, damaged 52,459 hectares of crops and 312 houses. Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain stated that the cyclone has inflicted a loss of at least Rs 344 crore.
The two deaths occurred in Bapatla district, where a 25-year-old man in Chinnaganjam and a 65-year-old woman in Karamchedu died after buildings collapsed on them, Jain told The Hindu.
The cyclone impacted 132 mandals across 15 districts, with Krishna, Bapatla, and Nandyala being among the most affected. Heavy rainfall was recorded in Bapatla at 22 cm, while Narasapur recorded 20 cm.
According to Rediff, 12,230 people remain in cyclone shelters or rehabilitation centres. The state government has arranged 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the system weakened into a cyclonic storm by 2.30 pm on Tuesday and is expected to further weaken into a deep depression by midnight.