Cyclone Murasu to make landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday
West Bengal is expected to see minimal impact from the cyclone, though light rain is forecast for several districts.
Cyclone Murasu is projected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 12.30 am and 4 am on Tuesday, according to reports from the Hindustan Times and The Indian Express. At the time of landfall, the system is expected to have maximum sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.
The cyclone was centred over the West-Central and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal as of 8.30 am on Monday. It is moving west-northwestwards at 22 kmph and is predicted to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has forecast light rain or thundershowers in parts of North Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, through Tuesday. In South Bengal, light to moderate rain may occur in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, and Purulia on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The impact on West Bengal will be minimal as the storm is expected to move towards Telangana and Maharashtra after crossing the coast. Meteorologists noted that while rain will be limited, moisture in the atmosphere may prevent nighttime temperatures from dropping until the cyclone weakens.
No weather warnings or swell surge alerts have been issued for the West Bengal coast. However, fishermen have been advised to avoid the West Central Bay of Bengal, the North West Bay of Bengal, and the South Odisha coast until Wednesday.