New Delhi, November 1: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm ‘Murasu’ on Sunday. The system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between November 2 and 3.
According to the IMD bulletin issued on Sunday afternoon, Cyclone Murasu was centred over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal at 11:30 AM. The storm was located approximately 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 660 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 630 km east-southeast of Nellore, 640 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 680 km east-southeast of Ongole.
The weather system moved west-northwestwards at a speed of around 23 kmph during the preceding six hours before intensifying into a cyclonic storm.
Severe Cyclone Likely, Wind Speed Up to 120 kmph
The IMD has forecast that Cyclone Murasu will continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning.
Subsequently, it is expected to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur during the night of November 2 and early hours of November 3.
At the time of landfall, the cyclone is likely to bring sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph, according to the IMD.
Second Cyclone to Hit Andhra Pradesh Within a Week
Cyclone Murasu will be the second cyclonic storm to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast in less than a week.
Earlier, Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur during the early hours of October 28. The storm brought extremely strong winds, with maximum sustained speeds of 125-135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph.
The cyclone claimed seven lives and caused extensive damage across several coastal districts. Thousands of acres of agricultural crops were affected, while hundreds of electricity poles and trees were uprooted. Roads, power supply and telecommunications infrastructure also suffered widespread damage.
Preliminary Cyclone Arnab Losses Estimated at ₹4,600 Crore
According to preliminary estimates, Cyclone Arnab caused damage worth approximately ₹4,600 crore in Andhra Pradesh.
A Central government team is currently visiting the state to assess the damage and evaluate the losses caused by the previous cyclone.
With another severe cyclonic storm approaching the coast, the latest IMD warning has raised concerns over the possibility of further damage to agriculture, infrastructure and coastal communities already affected by Cyclone Arnab.
