Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole with 120 kmph winds
The severe cyclonic storm brought heavy rain and gale-force winds to the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process near 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, close to Ongole.
The IMD's official press release noted that the landfall process commenced at 0100 hours IST on November 3, with the forward sector of the wall cloud entering the coast. Gale-force winds were expected to prevail along and off the coast until morning.
K Nagaratna, Director of Andhra IMD, said red warnings have been issued to Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, NTR, and Prakasam districts. He added that heavy rainfall is likely in coastal and south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
A storm surge of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh until Wednesday morning. The maximum peak surge is anticipated over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until the morning of November 4. Nagaratna stated there is a total suspension of offshore and onshore operations until they are reviewed based on IMD warnings.