Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole with 120 kmph winds
The severe cyclonic storm brought heavy rainfall and a storm surge to the South Coastal Andhra Pradesh region on Wednesday morning.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process close to Ongole in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh around 1 am on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm brought heavy rainfall and gale winds of up to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, Mint reported.
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. The IMD stated the landfall point was expected to be between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole.
The storm surge, estimated at 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide, was expected to inundate low-lying areas of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh until Wednesday morning. The maximum peak surge was anticipated over the Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
Andhra Pradesh Director of IMD K Nagaratna told ANI that red warnings have been issued for Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, NTR, and Prakasam districts. Nagaratna added that fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until the morning of 4 November.
The IMD noted that the forward sector of the wall cloud was entering the coast while the wall cloud region remained very close to the shore. Total suspension of offshore and onshore operations remains in place until they are reviewed per the warnings.