Cyclone Murasu Slams Andhra Coast: Heavy Rain Fury, Residents Urged to Stay Indoors
Cyclone Murasu makes landfall in South Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rain and gale winds. Collector Lakshmi Sha urges residents to stay indoors.
The south coast of Andhra Pradesh is currently battling the onslaught of Cyclone Murasu, as the severe cyclonic storm makes landfall, bringing torrential rains and destructive winds. In response to the escalating weather crisis, NTR District Collector Lakshmi Sha has issued a stern advisory, urging citizens to remain indoors and avoid any unnecessary travel to ensure their safety.
Emergency Measures in NTR District
As heavy to very heavy rainfall lashes the region, Collector Lakshmi Sha has been working closely with officials throughout the night to monitor the impact of the storm. Taking proactive steps to prevent casualties, the administration has already shifted several families from Mogalrajapuram to relief camps due to the high risk of landslides.
The Collector also conducted an inspection of the Budameru area, confirming that no major issues have been reported there so far. To minimize risk, she has appealed to shopping complexes and shops across the district to remain closed on Tuesday. Parents have been specifically advised to keep their children inside and ensure they do not venture outdoors during the storm.
Vijayawada Paralyzed by Waterlogging
The influence of Cyclone Murasu was felt early on Monday night, with continuous downpours drenching Vijayawada. The relentless rain has led to severe waterlogging on major thoroughfares, including Polyclinic Road and Bandar Road, as well as various sections of One Town. This has caused significant disruption to traffic and immense inconvenience for commuters attempting to navigate the city.
Landfall Details and IMD Warnings
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process of Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is concentrated along the south Andhra Pradesh coast, specifically between Narsapur and Nellore, near Ongole. The IMD reports that the cyclone's eye is entering the coast, with a major portion of the wall cloud already over land.
The weather department has highlighted several critical threats:
- Devastating Winds: Gale winds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph, are lashing the coast, particularly around the Kothapatnam Beach area near Ongole.
- Storm Surges: A surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is expected, which could inundate low-lying coastal areas.
- High-Risk Zones: The maximum peak surge is anticipated over the Krishna and Prakasam districts, as well as Bapatla.
What Lies Ahead?
The IMD forecasts that these extreme wind speeds will persist until morning. Furthermore, heavy spells of rainfall are expected to continue along the south coast of Andhra Pradesh for at least the next 12 hours. Authorities continue to urge the public to follow official advisories and cooperate fully with the administration as the state navigates this natural disaster.