Cyclone Murasu Turns Severe: Andhra Pradesh Braces for Landfall Between Nellore and Narsapur
— 120 kmph gusts, a red rainfall alert, and a narrow window between tonight and early morning
Bhubaneswar/Visakhapatnam: Cyclone Murasu has strengthened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, and the India Meteorological Department is now pointing at a specific stretch of coastline. The storm is expected to cross between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, in the window from 11:30 pm on November 2 to 4:00 am on November 3.
Wind speeds at landfall are projected at 100–110 kmph, with gusts touching 120 kmph. Andhra Pradesh has moved into high alert, and Odisha is preparing for the rainfall that will spill beyond the landfall zone.
The Storm's Position and Track
The system began as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, was named Cyclone Murasu on November 1, and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm as it tracked northwest towards the Indian coast.
According to the November 2 bulletin, it lay roughly 260 km east-northeast of Chennai, 290 km east-southeast of Nellore and 470 km south of Visakhapatnam. The northwestward movement is expected to continue until the coast is reached.
- Landfall window: 11:30 pm, November 2 to 4:00 am, November 3
- Location: Between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole
- Sustained winds: 100–110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph
- Warning level: Red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh
What Coastal Andhra Pradesh Should Expect
Extremely heavy rainfall is the primary concern, with a red-colour warning in force for parts of the coastal belt. Rough seas, strong winds and localised flooding are likely in low-lying areas.
The practical consequences are familiar and serious: roads cut off by water, electricity supply interrupted, communication services disrupted, and damage to temporary structures, trees and power infrastructure from sustained winds. District administrations have been told to stay on standby for emergency situations.
Ground Preparation: NDRF, SDRF and Control Rooms
The Andhra Pradesh government has scaled up its disaster response. Six NDRF teams and seven SDRF teams have been deployed, according to Akashvani reports. Control rooms have been set up to coordinate the response, and authorities have been directed to arrange evacuations from vulnerable locations.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reviewed the situation and instructed departments to coordinate relief and rescue operations. Residents have been asked to follow official weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel while conditions remain severe.
Odisha's Concern: Rain on Ground Still Recovering
Odisha will not take the direct hit, but it is not out of the picture. Rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in parts of the state under the storm's influence, and southern Odisha carries additional risk — several districts are still recovering from Cyclone Arnab and the flooding that followed.
Authorities are tracking rainfall, reservoir levels and vulnerable areas with that recent damage in mind. Residents have been asked to stay alert and follow local instructions.
The Sea Is Closed to Fishermen
The IMD has issued strict warnings against venturing into the sea. Fishing activity has been discouraged across the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal, with restrictions extending through November 4 in the southwest Bay. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough.
Fishermen already at sea have been advised to return to safer locations. Small boats and fishing vessels have been warned against operating in the conditions.
What to Do in the Next 24 Hours
- Secure loose objects around the house that strong winds could turn into projectiles.
- Stay away from damaged or fallen electrical lines — assume they are live.
- Do not travel through flooded roads; depth and current are rarely what they appear to be.
- Follow evacuation instructions issued by the district administration without delay.
- Keep medicines, drinking water, food, batteries and important documents ready in one place.
- Rely on official IMD and district updates, not on unverified social media forwards.
Posts
