Overview
- The India Meteorological Department says Murasu intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm and is very likely to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur near Ongole late on Monday into early Tuesday with sustained winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph.
- State and central agencies have pre-positioned six NDRF teams and seven SDRF teams while Andhra Pradesh has opened shelters and begun evacuations of about 2,000 people with plans to move up to roughly 30,000 more.
- Air travel and schools have been hit by the storm with more than 20 flights cancelled across Chennai, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and local authorities ordering closures and advisories for coastal communities.
- Authorities warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in 20 identified mandals in coastal districts and of very rough seas with 4–6 metre waves, and fishermen have been told not to venture into the Bay of Bengal.
- Murasu arrives days after Cyclone Arnab, raising the risk of compounded damage to homes, crops and thousands of electricity poles and creating added pressure on restoration and rescue operations after last week’s losses.