Cyclone Murasu: Andhra Pradesh braces for landfall as heavy rain lashes Tamil Nadu, Odisha

Guwahati: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, around midnight on Monday or in the early hours of Tuesday, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The approaching cyclone has triggered heavy rainfall and waterlogging in parts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, while Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have stepped up evacuation and disaster preparedness measures.

According to the IMD bulletin issued at 11.30 am on Monday, Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu was moving west-northwestwards at 14 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal. It was centred around 120 km east-southeast of Nellore, 140 km east-southeast of Kavali, 170 km northeast of Chennai, 180 km southeast of Ongole and 220 km south of Machilipatnam.

“It is very likely to continue to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting 120 kmph between Nellore and Narsapur close to Ongole during midnight of November 2 to early hours of November 3,” the IMD said.

Northern Tamil Nadu experienced heavy rainfall as the cyclone approached the Andhra Pradesh coast, with several areas in Chennai reporting waterlogging.

During the 24 hours ending Monday morning, Madhavaram recorded 11 cm of rainfall, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam received 10 cm each, officials said.

The IMD issued an orange alert for Chennai, forecasting very heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm. The city administration also declared a holiday for schools.

Chennai Airport authorities said some flights had been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for updates.

Andhra Pradesh remains on high alert as Murasu moves towards the coast. Several districts reported rainfall under the influence of the weather system, while heavy clouds covered Vijayawada.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan held a review meeting with officials from the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply departments, directing them to prepare for the cyclone’s impact.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister’s office, Kalyan said the state had not fully recovered from the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and stressed the need for precautionary measures.

He directed officials in Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Bapatla and Krishna districts to remain vigilant and evacuate residents from low-lying areas to safer locations in coordination with the police, revenue and electricity departments.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s office said the projected landfall location had shifted from the Bapatla-Machilipatnam stretch towards Nellore. Heavy rainfall was also reported in Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Tirupati and Markapuram districts.

Winds of 100-120 kmph are expected around landfall, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods, the office said. Six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and seven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been kept ready.

Kalyan directed officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supplies in villages, monitor water levels in canals and streams, and warn residents against approaching water bodies with strong currents. He also stressed sanitation measures, including the removal of stagnant water and bleaching and chlorination operations after the rains subside.

The Deputy Chief Minister urged residents to follow government advisories and remain in safe locations until the cyclone’s impact subsides.

Flight operations were also affected, with IndiGo cancelling 10 flights scheduled to operate from Vijayawada’s Gannavaram Airport on Monday. Airport authorities advised passengers to check their flight status with the airline before leaving for the airport.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government intensified evacuation efforts in vulnerable areas as Murasu strengthened over the Bay of Bengal.

Although the cyclone is expected to make landfall along the adjoining Andhra Pradesh coast, parts of southern Odisha are likely to receive heavy rainfall, officials said.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the cyclone was likely to affect several districts, particularly Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. He said district collectors had been alerted, with southern districts placed on high alert.

Disaster response teams deployed during Cyclone Arnab would remain in their existing positions ahead of Murasu, the minister said. More than 300 rescue teams comprising personnel from the NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Odisha Fire Service have been pre-positioned.

The IMD forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Gajapati and Ganjam districts on Monday, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri and Khurda districts are also likely to receive rainfall.

Several parts of Odisha had already begun experiencing light rainfall under the influence of the weather system, with precipitation expected to intensify gradually, IMD sources said.