Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast as heavy rain hits Chennai
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narasapur between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, bringing heavy rain to northern Tamil Nadu and flooding parts of Chennai, according to reports from India Today, The Hawk and Urban Acres.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the storm is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narasapur, near Ongole, between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3. The system is packing sustained winds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.
In Chennai, heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging. Parrys recorded 149.2 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 6 am on Monday, while New Manali Town recorded 141.6 mm and Manali recorded 136.2 mm, according to the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran said there was no major flooding, though some areas reported minor water stagnation. He noted that two out of 22 subways faced minor waterlogging but were soon cleared for traffic.
Some flights at Chennai airport were cancelled on Monday due to adverse weather, and schools in the city were closed. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has requested assistance from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to send personnel and machinery to restore electricity infrastructure.