Rain begins in north Andhra as Cyclone Murasu approaches coast
The India Meteorological Department expects the severe cyclonic storm to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning.
Rainfall has started in north coastal Andhra Pradesh ahead of Cyclone Murasu, according to The Hindu. In the 24 hours leading up to 8.30 a.m. on Monday, Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district recorded 102.49 mm of rain.
The Kakinada (Rural) mandal saw 51.75 mm of rain between 8.30 a.m. and noon on Monday, per data from the Andhra Pradesh Directorate of Economics and Statistics (APDES). Most rainfall occurred in Kakinada, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts, while Rayalaseema remained dry.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the system has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 11.30 p.m. on Monday and 4 a.m. on Tuesday, with landfall likely occurring between Nellore and Narsapur.
Urban Acres reported that the IMD has placed Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts under a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on Monday. For Tuesday, a red alert is in place for Alluri Sitarama Raju and Eluru districts.
The storm is moving west-northwestwards at 22 kmph. At 8.30 a.m. on Monday, it was located approximately 160 km east-southeast of Nellore and 210 km southeast of Ongole. Winds near landfall are expected to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.