Coastal India on High Alert as Cyclone Murasu Approaches Landfall
The eastern coast of India is bracing for a fresh meteorological crisis as Cyclone “Murasu” barrels toward the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Coming only a week after a powerful, very severe cyclone battered the region, this new weather event has triggered widespread evacuations and significant disruptions to transport networks across the coastal belt.
Evacuations and Preparations
Government authorities are working on a massive scale to secure vulnerable populations. In Odisha, the state administration has already successfully relocated over 160,000 residents to high-ground shelters and temporary relief camps. Officials have indicated that the total evacuation target is set at approximately 330,000 people to ensure minimal casualties. As a precautionary measure, educational institutions, including schools and colleges, across southern Odisha districts remain shuttered through November 3.
Similarly, disaster management agencies in Andhra Pradesh have been placed on high alert. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has mobilized dedicated teams, with at least 90 trained personnel currently deployed to assist in search, rescue, and relief operations in areas expected to be the hardest hit.
Impact on Air Travel and Infrastructure
The impending landfall has paralyzed connectivity in Andhra Pradesh. On Monday, aviation authorities confirmed the cancellation of 19 domestic flights operating out of Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam. Passengers have been advised to check with their respective airlines before heading to airports, as further delays or cancellations are likely as the storm nears the coast.
Forecast and Trajectory
According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Murasu was spotted hovering over the west-central Bay of Bengal, roughly 120 kilometers east-southeast of Nellore. Forecasters predict that the storm will make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, likely occurring between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
The IMD has warned that the storm will bring intense gusts, with peak wind speeds anticipated to exceed 100 kilometers per hour at the time of landfall. While the system is expected to lose some intensity within six to seven hours post-landfall, with wind speeds dropping to a range of 60-70 kmph, the potential for structural damage and flooding remains high.
Regional Rainfall and Further Concerns
While the focus remains on the primary path of the cyclone, the outer bands of the system have already begun dumping heavy rainfall across neighboring regions. Tamil Nadu has faced the brunt of these fringe effects, with severe downpours impacting Chennai and Tiruvallur.
Weather stations reported significant precipitation over the last 24 hours, with Madhavaram recording 11 centimeters of rain. Meanwhile, both Ennore Port and Nungambakkam logged 10 centimeters each, leading to localized waterlogging and traffic congestion. The regional meteorological center has warned that these heavy rainfall conditions are likely to persist through Tuesday, further complicating recovery efforts and increasing the risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas.
Local administrations are urging citizens to remain indoors and follow official updates as the situation continues to evolve rapidly.
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