Bay of Bengal depression may become cyclone Murasu hitting Andhra coast
The system is expected to make landfall on the morning of November 3, according to the IMD.
A depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified and is expected to become a cyclonic storm named Murasu, according to reports by Hindustan Times and The Pioneer. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated on Sunday that the system is likely to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of November 3.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the system could produce sustained wind speeds of 80 to 90 kmph, with gusts reaching 100 kmph. This system is expected to be less intense than Cyclone Arnab, which struck the region on October 28 with higher wind speeds.
The weather department has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for parts of Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Odisha. In Odisha, south regions may receive heavy rain on November 3 and 4. Authorities have advised fishermen to stay away from the sea until at least Wednesday afternoon.
In Odisha, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is preparing to evacuate people from landslide-prone areas. Discussions have been held with officials in districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, and Koraput to move residents to cyclone shelters if required.
The new system arrives shortly after Cyclone Arnab caused damage in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu previously visited affected areas in West Godavari district to assess losses and promised government support for families.