Cyclone Murasu Landfall Countdown: 120 Kmph Winds Threaten Andhra Coast
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is set to hit Andhra Pradesh. IMD warns of 120 kmph winds and storm surges, but evacuation delays raise alarm.
The clock is ticking for the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Murasu landfall becomes imminent. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical hourly bulletin warning that the severe cyclonic storm is closing in rapidly, bringing with it destructive wind speeds and the threat of significant flooding.
The Projected Path of Destruction
According to the IMD's latest data released at 2130 hrs IST on Monday, the storm was centered near Latitude 14.9°N and Longitude 80.6°E. This puts the system in a dangerous position, approximately 60 km east of Kavali, 80 km northeast of Nellore, 90 km southeast of Ongole, and 110 km south of Bapatla.
The system has been churning north-northwestwards at a speed of 12 kmph. The IMD predicts that the storm will make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, specifically close to Ongole, in the window between 2330 hrs IST on November 2 and 0400 hrs IST on November 3.
Wind Speeds and Storm Surge Alerts
The intensity of Cyclone Murasu is escalating. Currently, the storm is maintaining wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph near the center. While the coast has already experienced gale winds of 70–90 kmph, these are expected to surge to 100–110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, from midnight into early Tuesday morning.
Beyond the wind, the IMD has sounded a severe alarm regarding a storm surge. A rise of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tides is expected during landfall. This surge is highly likely to inundate low-lying areas across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the peak impact forecast for the following districts:
- Bapatla
- Krishna
- Prakasam
Concerns Over Evacuation Delays
Despite the gravity of the meteorological warnings, a worrying situation is unfolding on the ground. While surges above 0.5 metres have already begun to flood various coastal pockets, reports indicate that mass evacuation operations are not currently underway in several vulnerable, low-lying areas.
This lack of immediate movement has sparked serious concerns regarding public safety, as thousands of residents remain in the direct path of a severe cyclonic system. As the storm edges closer to the shore, the urgency for disaster management authorities to act has reached a critical point.
Further updates from disaster management officials are awaited as the region braces for the impact.