Officials on high alert as Cyclone Murasu threatens heavy rain
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has warned of potential infrastructure damage and river inflows as the storm approaches the coast.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday placed officials on high alert due to Cyclone Murasu, warning of possible damage to infrastructure, heavy rainfall and significant river inflows. According to the Deccan Chronicle, the storm is expected to affect coastal Andhra from Monday midnight to Tuesday midnight, impacting 848 Swarna Gram and ward secretariat jurisdictions.
The Chief Minister noted that while the cyclone may be less intense than cyclone Arnab, several districts could see moderate to heavy rain. Palnadu could receive approximately 30cm of rain, followed by Prakasam with 24cm and Markapuram with 19cm. Krishna, Guntur, Eluru and Nellore are projected to receive around 9cm each.
In Palnadu district, Collector Kritika Shukla has directed officials to prevent any loss of life or property. The Hindu reported that the storm is expected to impact the district on November 2 and 3. Shukla instructed departments to strengthen drains and canals with sandbags and remove obstructions like water hyacinth near bridges.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai stated on Monday that Chennai and Thiruvallur face heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. RMC Chennai Director V R Durai urged residents in northern Tamil Nadu to remain vigilant as the storm tracks towards the South Andhra Pradesh coast.
Naidu cautioned that the catchments of Nagarjuna Sagar, Pulichintala and Budameru would receive floodwater. He directed officials to move people from low-lying areas to shelters and to guard against breaches in the state's 14,760 minor irrigation tanks. The Chief Minister requested that post-cyclone restoration be finished within 48 hours.