Severe cyclonic storm Murasu to hit Andhra Pradesh coast
Three NDRF teams have been deployed from Chennai to assist with rescue and relief operations in Andhra Pradesh.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur during the night of November 2 and the early morning of November 3, according to BusinessLine.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the storm is moving west-northwestwards with a speed of 14 kmph. It was reported to be centred approximately 120 km east-southeast of Nellore, 140 km east-southeast of Kavali, 170 km northeast of Chennai, 180 km southeast of Ongole, and 220 km south of Machilipatnam.
Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel from the 4th Battalion near Arakkonam, have been rushed to Andhra Pradesh. These teams, each consisting of 30 personnel, are headed to Nellore, Prakasam, and Markapuram to carry out emergency rescue, clear debris, and provide relief.
The storm is expected to cross the coast with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. In response to a request from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed 500 electricity department personnel in 25 teams to assist with power restoration.
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports on Monday. Vijayawada Airport director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said IndiGo cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express cancelled two, while Visakhapatnam Airport cancelled four flights.
The IMD has issued a red alert for two districts in Telangana and an orange alert in three other districts for November 3. In Chennai, an orange alert has been issued and schools have been declared closed.