Cyclone Murasu to hit Andhra coast late November 2, Odisha on high alert
New Delhi: Cyclone Murasu is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday morning and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between late November 2 and early November 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The storm moved west-northwestwards at 27 kmph during the six hours up to 2.30 pm on Sunday. It lay about 480 km east-southeast of Chennai and 550 km east-southeast of Nellore.
Landfall timing and winds
The IMD forecast landfall between Nellore and Narsapur from around 11.30 pm on November 2 to 4 am on November 3. Wind speeds could reach 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph.
Officials briefed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that the cyclone could cross near Bapatla on November 3 morning.
“Another cyclone is approaching Andhra Pradesh and officials must remain fully prepared to undertake relief and rescue operations, as a severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the coast near Bapatla on the morning of November 3,” Naidu said in an official press release.
Heavy rain threatens districts
South and central coastal districts could receive moderate to heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy showers, on November 2. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may follow in several areas on November 3 and 4.
Officials forecast extremely heavy rain in 20 mandals, including nine in Eluru, five each in Krishna and NTR, and one in Bapatla.
The release projected average district rainfall of 179 mm in Eluru, 163 mm in Krishna and 161 mm in NTR on November 3. Budameru could receive inflows of around 32,500 cusecs.
Preliminary estimates suggested strong winds could damage around 15,128 electricity poles across 12 districts.
Rescue preparations and evacuations
Naidu ordered officials to position personnel and equipment in vulnerable areas, prepare power restoration timelines and issue cyclone bulletins every four hours. He also urged telecom operators to prevent network disruptions and cancelled Monday’s Delhi visit.
Andhra Pradesh recently suffered Cyclone Arnab, which crossed the coast on October 28, killing seven people.
Meanwhile, Odisha announced a high alert in its southern region. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said authorities had ordered evacuations from low-lying areas and hilly terrain. Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre director Manorama Mohanty said rain would begin on November 2 and intensify on November 3 and 4.