After Arnab, Cyclone Murasu Threat To Andhra

Barely a week since the state machinery and the public faced the havoc of cyclone Arnab that has left in its trail a wave of destruction due to heavy winds and extreme rainfall, Andhra Pradesh has another threat looming large in the form of cyclone Murasu, which intensified into severe storm.

According to IMD, the storm is moving at a speed of around 23 km per hour and is expected to cross the southern Andhra Pradesh coastline between late night on November 2 and early morning on November 3. The impact will extend to neighbouring states as well.

During landfall, wind speeds are predicted to reach 100 to 110 km per hour, with powerful gusts touching 120 km per hour. This time, Prakasam, Nellore, Bapatla, Krishna, and Visakhapatnam have been identified as high risk areas.

These regions are bracing for heavy downpours, severe water logging and high sea waves. Authorities have warned of potential damage to kutcha homes, standing crops, power lines, and tree branches in vulnerable low lying areas.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu cancelled his official trip to remain in the state and oversee relief operations directly. Officials have ordered mandatory evacuations from low lying coastal villages and shifted thousands of residents to temporary relief shelters.

School closures have also been announced in several affected coastal districts as precautionary measures. Neighbouring states including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana are also preparing for light to moderate rainfall.