Cyclone Murasu approaches Andhra Pradesh coast with heavy rain forecast
The storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur between Monday midnight and Tuesday morning.
The severe cyclonic storm Murasu is advancing towards the South Andhra Pradesh coast and is expected to make landfall between Monday midnight and Tuesday morning, according to The Indian Express and Urban Acres. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Monday evening, November 2, that the system is currently over the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal, moving towards the coast at 27 kmph.
The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur with sustained winds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that Murasu could cross the coast approximately 150 km south of where Cyclone Arnab made landfall. The system is expected to have a lower impact than Cyclone Arnab, which had maximum winds of 150 kmph.
In Andhra Pradesh, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall in most places on November 2 and 3, with heavy to very heavy rain at some locations and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated spots. The storm's effects are also expected to reach southern Odisha starting Tuesday, bringing rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
The IMD has issued an orange warning for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Ganjam for November 3 and 4, with the possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rain. In these districts, winds may reach 50-60 kmph with gusts up to 70 kmph. Several other Odisha districts, including Kalahandi, Puri, and Khurda, are expected to receive heavy rain.
Yellow warnings have been issued for various western and central Odisha districts, including Baleswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur. The weather department has warned that the system could disrupt road travel, power supply, and infrastructure, and cautioned that landslides remain possible in southern Odisha.