Andhra Pradesh Prepares for Second Cyclone in a Week

Andhra Pradesh faces another severe cyclone just days after cyclone Arnab caused heavy damage along its coast. The India Meteorological Department states that a new storm will develop in the southeast Bay of Bengal and cross the state coast between Nellore and Narsapur during the early hours of November 3. A low-pressure area formed on Saturday near the Andaman and Nicobar islands and quickly intensified into a depression. Weather officials expect the system to strengthen into a deep depression and then a cyclonic storm by Sunday. The storm will hit the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour.

Impact

Satellite data shows the weather system is currently located hundreds of kilometers away from major coastal cities like Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Ongole. Once formed, the storm will carry the name Murasu, which means drum in Tamil. Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region must prepare for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall ranging between 115 millimetres and 200 millimetres or more over a 24-hour period on November 2 and November 3.

Context

Bay of Bengal cyclones are common during the post-monsoon months, often bringing destructive winds and heavy rains to India's eastern coastline. Meteorological departments track these systems closely using satellite imagery to issue timely warnings and help local authorities prepare evacuation plans.