Heavy rain alert for Theni and Coimbatore as cyclone approaches Andhra coast
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is expected to make landfall in south Andhra Pradesh with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph.
Theni and Coimbatore districts in Tamil Nadu are expected to receive heavy rain with thunder and lightning, according to the Chennai Meteorological Centre. The weather office reported that atmospheric circulation over southern coastal Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka is contributing to these conditions.
According to The New Indian Express, Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is projected to hit the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between Monday midnight and early Tuesday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that wind speeds could reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
The cyclone has already caused disruptions, with 19 domestic flights cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports on Monday. In Tamil Nadu, authorities declared a school holiday in Chennai on Monday due to torrential rains in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur districts.
To assist Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu has sent three NDRF teams consisting of 90 personnel and 25 electricity department teams with 500 personnel. Karnataka has also announced it will deploy 500 skilled power personnel to help restore infrastructure.
The Chennai Meteorological Centre noted that Cuddalore recorded 9 centimetres of rain in the 24-hour period ending the previous morning. Heavy rain is also possible in several districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Coimbatore, on November 8.