Cyclone Murasu kills two in Andhra Pradesh, disrupts services and crops
The severe cyclonic storm has caused at least Rs 344 crore in losses and forced over 12,000 people into rehabilitation centres.
At least two people died in cyclone-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday as severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall near Ongole in Prakasam district, according to the Indian Express and Deccan Herald.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain said 12,230 people are currently sheltered in rehabilitation centres. Jain stated the cyclone has caused a loss of at least Rs 344 crore, affecting 52,459 hectares of crops.
The storm, which made landfall between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on November 3, brought winds of 100-110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph. The impact was high in Prakasam and Bapatla districts, where 312 houses were affected and 2,750 electricity poles were damaged.
The weather disrupted several services, including the cancellation of over 35 trains and various flights. Strong winds also blew away tents at a vote counting venue for Andhra municipal polls at Krishna University.
The state government has arranged 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets. As a precaution, 3,066 pregnant women and 1,008 nursing mothers were shifted to hospitals, according to an official release.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the system to weaken into a deep depression by Tuesday midnight. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said state machinery is working in coordination with Central teams on relief operations.