Severe Cyclone Murasu Threatens Coast As Tamil Nadu And Andhra Pradesh Brace For Heavy Rains

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: System intensifies into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm', to make landfall on Nov. 3 morning: Cyclone Murasu has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is heading towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The India Meteorological Department states the system may cross the coast near Ongole with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kmph.

Closures and Alerts

Educational institutions including schools and colleges are closed on Monday in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Guntur districts due to heavy rainfall warnings. Authorities have also issued orange and yellow weather alerts across several districts in Telangana.

Disaster Response

Andhra Pradesh has deployed six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams in vulnerable areas. Officials in Bapatla have stepped up preparations, while Odisha continues relief work for the earlier Cyclone Arnab.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon season, bringing widespread heavy rainfall and strong winds to India's eastern coastline. State disaster management authorities routinely deploy rescue teams and declare precautionary educational holidays ahead of expected landfalls to protect residents.