Cyclone Murasu likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast tonight
At least 19 domestic flights have been cancelled across three airports as the severe cyclonic storm approaches the coast near Ongole.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 11:30 pm on Monday and 4:00 am on November 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm is likely to cross the coast near Ongole between Nellore and Narsapur with wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, Deccan Herald reported.
The cyclone has caused the cancellation of at least 19 domestic flights across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports. Vijayawada Airport director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said IndiGo cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express cancelled two, while Visakhapatnam Airport cancelled four flights. Tirupati Airport director D Boominathan noted that IndiGo cancelled flights to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Bengaluru.
Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Markapuram, and Nellore districts. In Nellore, educational institutions have closed, and schools in Vizianagaram district have also been shut for the day. In East Godavari district, incessant rain was reported in areas including Rajamahendravaram, Kovvur, Undrajavaram, Peravali, and Rajanagaram.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness via teleconference with top officials, district collectors, and 45,000 field-level staff. He stated that while Murasu is less intense than Cyclone Arnab, rain is likely in various districts from Monday night until Tuesday.
Three teams from the 4th battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh to lead rescue and relief operations. In Rayagada, Additional District Magistrate (General) Ravindranath Kahanra said all 11 fire station teams and heavy machinery have been deployed at strategic locations.