Cyclone Murasu makes landfall along Andhra Pradesh coast with heavy rains
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu hit the coast near Ongole, causing waterlogging in Vijayawada and uprooting hundreds of trees.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu made landfall near Kothapatnam, close to Ongole, in Andhra Pradesh at 1 am on Tuesday, according to reports by ANI and The Indian Express. The storm brought extremely heavy rains and high-speed winds reaching 150 kmph.
The heavy downpour, which began late Monday night, caused significant waterlogging on major roads in Vijayawada, including Bandar Road, Polyclinic Road, and areas in One Town. In the districts of Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla, hundreds of trees were uprooted by the storm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the landfall point was between Nellore and Narsapur. The IMD estimated gale winds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, and forecast a storm surge of 1.0-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with district collectors and officials at 3.30 am to review the situation. He instructed that care must be taken to ensure people do not go onto roads in affected areas until all obstructions are cleared.
While low-lying areas were inundated, electricity department officials reported that no power poles have fallen and there has been no disruption to the power supply. Officials informed the Chief Minister that the cyclone is expected to cross the coast by 6.30 am.