Severe Cyclone Murasu closes schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur as IMD warns of heavy rain

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: System intensifies into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm', to make landfall on Nov. 3 morning:-

Storm Movement

Cyclonic Storm Murasu has intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the west-central and southwest Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department states the system is moving northwestwards toward the south Andhra Pradesh coast. Wind speeds during landfall are expected to reach 100 to 110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph, and the system may cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur on the morning of November 3.

Closures and Alerts

Chennai and Tiruvallur district collectors have announced the closure of all schools and colleges on Monday due to heavy rain forecasts. The India Meteorological Department has also issued an orange alert for six districts and a yellow alert for five districts in Telangana. In Andhra Pradesh, authorities have deployed six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams across vulnerable districts.

Context

Severe cyclonic storms form when warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions combine over regions like the Bay of Bengal. These weather systems regularly impact India's eastern coastline during the northeast monsoon season, prompting emergency response preparations.