Cyclone Murasu threatens Odisha with heavy rain as it nears Andhra coast
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange warning for five southern Odisha districts as the cyclone approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Cyclone Murasu is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha, particularly in the southern region, according to reports from Deccan Chronicle and The Hindu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for the southern districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri for heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4.
The cyclone is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Monday. It is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur by the morning of November 3, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph.
Manorama Mohanty, director of the meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said Odisha will receive rainfall from November 2, with intensity increasing on November 3 and continuing through November 4. The IMD has also issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and rain in 16 districts.
State Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is prepared and has ordered the evacuation of people from hilly terrain and low-lying areas. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil stated that relief and restoration work for those hit by Cyclone Arnab is progressing on a war footing.
The state is also managing the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, which impacted 1.18 lakh people. Patil noted that Cyclone Arnab caused 10 landslides and five deaths, affecting 75,388 hectares of crop area and damaging 1,672 houses.