Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra coast, causing widespread destruction
The storm uprooted thousands of trees and damaged electric poles and fishing boats after making landfall early Tuesday.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday, according to The New Indian Express. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported wind speeds of 100–110 kmph with gusts reaching 120 kmph.
The storm caused extensive damage in Prakasam, Bapatla, Palnadu, and Guntur districts. Reported impacts include uprooted trees, damaged electric poles, wrecked fishing boats, and inundated localities. Heavy rainfall also damaged standing crops and disrupted road transport, leaving vehicles stranded on national highways.
In Prakasam district, Kothapatnam recorded 16.4 cm of rainfall between Monday morning and Tuesday morning. Naguluppalapadu received 11.4 cm, while Chirala in Bapatla recorded 10 cm.
Krishnamma, a fisherman from Kothapatnam, said the cyclone was the most dangerous witnessed in 14 years. He noted that the government evacuated around 400 families from his village and NDRF teams assisted with the relocation.
Another resident, Mangamma, stated that while she had lost her house in a previous cyclone, the government evacuated her family before landfall this time. She added that one of her three boats was completely destroyed.
The IMD said Murasu is likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon on Tuesday and further into a deep depression by midnight. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue in coastal Andhra Pradesh.