Flight services disrupted in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh due to Cyclone Murasu
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu has led to multiple flight cancellations in Chennai, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam owing to adverse weather.
Flight services to and from Chennai, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam have been impacted by Cyclone Murasu, according to The Hindu. The storm has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the West Central and Southwest Bay of Bengal.
Chennai International Airport stated on X that eleven flights have been cancelled due to the cyclone. These include departures to Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Kadapa and Tiruchirappalli, as well as arrivals from Vijayawada, Kadapa, Rajahmundry and Tiruchirappalli.
IndiGo confirmed that flight operations to and from Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati are impacted. In Vijayawada, 12 flight services were cancelled, while Visakhapatnam saw five cancelled flights, including services to and from Hyderabad and Tirupati.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone is likely to cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 a.m. on November 3. Wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, are expected at landfall.
Prakhar Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Real Time Governance Society, said heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Six NDRF teams and seven SDRF teams have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu requested assistance from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Chief Ministers to restore electricity infrastructure. Both leaders responded positively to the request.