Cyclone Murasu Slams Andhra Coast: Heavy Rain, High Waves and Train Chaos
Severe Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra Pradesh coast with 120kmph gusts. Heavy rain and train cancellations reported.
The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh are currently grappling with the fury of Cyclone Murasu, which has made landfall with devastating wind speeds. According to IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra, the severe cyclone crossed the coast with wind speeds ranging between 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to a powerful 120 kmph.
The Path of Destruction and Forecast
The storm is expected to maintain a slow north-north-westward trajectory over the next 12 hours. While the intensity is predicted to dip, the threat remains significant. Experts anticipate the system will weaken into a cyclonic storm by this afternoon and further degrade into a deep depression by midnight. By tomorrow morning, it is expected to become a depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and surrounding areas.
The impact on the ocean has been severe, with mid-sea wave heights reaching a staggering 9 to 10 meters, creating high to very high sea conditions.
Rainfall Red Alerts
The rainfall triggered by Cyclone Murasu has already been extreme, with some areas reporting a peak of 22 centimeters. Dr. Mahapatra warned that rainfall activity will persist across most of central and north Andhra Pradesh. The forecast includes:
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall at several locations.
- Extremely heavy rainfall at isolated spots.
Amaravati Meteorological Department scientist S. Karuna Sagar highlighted that while the cyclone's intensity may gradually decrease starting tonight, heavy rains are still highly likely in districts including Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, Palnadu, NTR, Eluru, and West Godavari. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue into November 4.
Storm Surges and District Impact
The low-lying areas of the Krishna, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts were particularly vulnerable during landfall, experiencing storm surges estimated between 1 to 1.5 meters. These surges, combined with the high wind speeds, have made Andhra Pradesh the most adversely affected region.
Transport Paralysis: 29 Trains Affected
The weather chaos has spilled over into the transport sector, specifically hitting the railways. Nusrat M. Mandrupkar, PRO of the Vijayawada Division, confirmed that train services on the Vijayawada-Ongole-Gudur route have been temporarily suspended.
A total of 29 trains have been impacted, consisting of 19 UP and 10 DOWN trains currently under regulation. Passengers are being urged to verify their travel plans via official platforms such as IRCTC, RailOne, NTES, or by calling the Railway Enquiry number 139.
Continuous Monitoring
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to keep a close watch on the storm. The system is under the constant surveillance of Doppler Weather Radars located at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam. As the storm weakens toward a deep depression—with wind speeds expected to drop to 55-65 kmph (gusting to 75 kmph)—authorities are urging residents in affected zones to remain alert and strictly follow official safety instructions.