Cyclone Murasu makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh bringing heavy rain
Thousands have been moved to safety as the severe cyclonic storm hits the south Andhra Pradesh coast.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall near Ongole in Prakasam district at approximately 1 am on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm crossed the coastline between Nellore and Narsapur, bringing sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts of up to 120 kmph.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Andhra Pradesh authorities had already moved around 2,000 people from high-risk coastal zones. The administration planned to relocate roughly 30,000 more individuals to safer areas. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to remain on high alert to manage rescue and relief operations.
In Odisha, over 1.6 lakh people were evacuated from five vulnerable districts by Monday evening, with 1.5 lakh of those from Ganjam. An additional 1.4 lakh people are expected to be moved as preparations continue. The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rain and possible landslides in southern Odisha.
The cyclone has caused disruptions to transport, with at least 30 domestic flights cancelled across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Chennai airports. Additionally, railway authorities cancelled nine trains as a precaution.
The IMD Director General Mritunjay Mohapatra told The Samaja that the impact of Murasu might be lower than Cyclone Arnab, which had landfall winds of 150 kmph. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Chhattisgarh as the system moves inland.