Cyclone Murasu Batters Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada Drowned in Heavy Rains
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rains to Vijayawada and gale-force winds to the coast.
The state of Andhra Pradesh is currently grappling with the fury of Cyclone Murasu Andhra Pradesh, as the severe cyclonic storm makes landfall, triggering torrential rains and chaos across several districts. The city of Vijayawada has borne the brunt of the initial onslaught, with heavy downpours turning major thoroughfares into rivers and disrupting the daily lives of thousands.
Vijayawada Paralyzed by Waterlogging
The deluge began late Monday night and persisted well into the early hours of Tuesday, leaving the city drenched. The continuous rainfall has led to severe waterlogging on critical arteries, including Polyclinic Road and Bandar Road. Residents and commuters in the One Town area have faced significant hardships as the accumulated water made movement nearly impossible in several pockets of the city.
The Landfall Process: Eye of the Storm
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall of Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is currently underway along the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The weather agency reports that a significant portion of the cyclone's wall cloud has already moved inland, with the eye of the storm now entering the coast.
The specific landfall point has been identified between Narsapur and Nellore, in close proximity to Ongole. The IMD estimated that this landfall process would continue for several hours, bringing the most intense part of the storm directly over the region.
Dangerous Winds and Storm Surges
The impact of the cyclone is not limited to rain. The IMD has warned of extreme wind conditions, with gale winds ranging between 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching up to 120 kmph both along and off the coast. These hazardous wind speeds are expected to persist until Tuesday morning.
Beyond the wind, the coast is facing the threat of a storm surge. The weather department has forecast a surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide. This is expected to cause inundation in low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
High-Risk Zones
The IMD has highlighted specific areas that are most vulnerable to the peak surge, including:
- Bapatla
- Krishna District
- Prakasam District
While the surge is expected to decrease gradually, the danger remains high for these coastal regions. Furthermore, the IMD has predicted that heavy spells of rainfall will continue to lash the south coast of Andhra Pradesh over the next 12 hours, keeping the state on high alert.