The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu had intensified over the west-central Bay of Bengal, putting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu on alert ahead of its expected landfall along the Andhra coast.
The storm 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 am on November 3. Winds are expected to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 2 and 3, with extremely heavy showers at isolated places.
A storm surge of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying areas, particularly in Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna and Prakasam districts.
Odisha’s southern districts, including Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam, are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4. Coastal winds may reach 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph.
The IMD has advised fishermen to stay away from the Bay of Bengal and urged residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move to safer locations.
Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough until November 4. Authorities have prepared evacuation measures and deployed disaster-response teams, while fishing operations have been suspended.
Parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, have experienced heavy rainfall, and flights at Chennai and Vijayawada airports have been cancelled due to adverse weather.
Murasu comes days after Cyclone Arnab caused casualties and infrastructure damage in the region.
