Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal
The storm is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph.
Cyclonic Storm Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central and southwest Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday, November 2, according to The Hindu and ANI. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the system was centred over the region at 2.30 am IST.
The storm is likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between the midnight of November 2 and the early hours of November 3. Landfall is expected near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, with sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph.
The IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on Monday for the Eluru, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, and SPSR Nellore districts. An orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for NTR, East Godavari, West Godavari, Palnadu, Chittoor, and Tirupati districts.
In Rayagada, Additional District Magistrate (General) Ravindranath Kahanra said the administration has deployed 11 fire station teams and heavy machinery to strategic locations. The district was under a yellow warning until November 2, with an orange warning expected for November 3 and 4.
The Andhra Pradesh government has increased preparedness in the coastal and Rayalaseema regions. Rainfall activity had already begun in parts of the state as of 6 am on Monday.
