Cyclone Murasu threatens southern Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast
Authorities in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have stepped up emergency measures as Cyclone Murasu approaches the coast.
Cyclone Murasu is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to southern Odisha and the Andhra Pradesh coast, according to reports by Urban Acres and India TV. The system, which intensified into a depression on Saturday, is forecast to make landfall between Nellore and Narasapur around midnight on November 2 or the early hours of November 3.
In Odisha, the government has moved more than 1.60 lakh people to safety and aims to evacuate 3.33 lakh people by 10 pm on Monday. Officials have prepared 1,139 shelters, with a focus on Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Kandhamal. In Ganjam, approximately 1.50 lakh people have been shifted due to flooding.
More than 300 rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Odisha Fire Service are on standby. Schools and anganwadi centres in five focus districts were closed on Tuesday, while institutions in Malkangiri and Kandhamal were shut on Wednesday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain alert across South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. He stated that forecasts suggest the impact of Murasu could be less severe than Cyclone Arnab, but called for measures to prevent loss of life and property.
The state is preparing for heavy rainfall, with Palnadu expected to receive around 30 cm and Prakasam around 24 cm. Officials have been asked to safeguard 6,800 tanks and monitor reservoirs. Additionally, 1,000 personnel are arriving from Chennai to support electricity restoration work.