Cyclone Murasu likely to hit Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3
The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur with wind speeds reaching 110 kmph.
A cyclonic storm named Murasu is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of November 3, according to reports from Business Standard, Bhaskar English and The Hawk. The system, which developed from a depression over the Bay of Bengal, is forecast to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the storm could bring wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph. This follows Cyclone Arnab, which hit the coast on October 28 and caused estimated losses of Rs 4,600 crore.
Authorities have issued weather warnings across several regions. Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are under an orange alert, while a red alert for rainfall and thunderstorms has been declared for the state. A yellow alert has been issued for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra advised fishermen to stay in harbour and not venture into the sea until at least Wednesday afternoon. He noted that parts of the Bay of Bengal would be devastating for small boats and ships.
In Odisha, where Ganjam and Gajapati districts have faced flood-like conditions, the government has ordered the evacuation of hilly and low-lying areas. The IMD also predicts very heavy rain for Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 2-3, and heavy rain for southern Odisha on November 3-4.