Murasu weakens into depression as heavy rain lashes Andhra Pradesh
Two people have died and 52,459 hectares of crops are damaged following the cyclonic storm Murasu.
The remnants of severe cyclonic storm Murasu weakened into a depression over east Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, according to The Hindu. The system, which was a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, moved north-northwestwards and was centred near Khammam in Telangana and Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh by Wednesday morning.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the system is expected to lose more strength and become a well-marked low-pressure area within 12 hours. Heavy rainfall continues across the state, with Edlapadu in Palnadu district recording 269.45 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, according to the Andhra Pradesh Directorate of Economics and Statistics (APDES).
The storm caused significant destruction, leaving two people dead and damaging 52,459 hectares of crops. Preliminary reports estimate losses at ₹344 crore. In Guntur, Bapatla, and Palnadu districts, 12,230 people have been moved to rehabilitation centres.
The cyclone made landfall near Kothapatnam in the Prakasam district with wind speeds between 110-120 kmph. Due to the weather, train services on the Vijayawada-Ongole-Gudur route were temporarily suspended, affecting 29 trains, according to Vijayawada Division PRO Nusrat M. Mandrupkar.
In response to heavy inflows from the Keesara, Munneru, and Budameru streams, all 70 gates of the Prakasam Barrage were opened to release 71,000 cusecs into the Krishna river.