Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe storm as coastal evacuation speeds up

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: Odisha expedites evacuation from vulnerable areas as storm intensifies: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is set to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, from 11.30 p.m. on November 2 to 4 a.m. on November 3. The India Meteorological Department reports wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, during landfall.

Evacuations and Travel

The Odisha government has stepped up evacuations in vulnerable areas, with Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stating that southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri are on high alert. More than 300 NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Service teams are pre-positioned across the state. In Andhra Pradesh, authorities have deployed six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams. Meanwhile, flight operations face major disruptions. Eleven flights arriving and departing from Chennai airport and ten IndiGo flights from Gannavaram Airport have been cancelled, while flights to Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Tiruchi are also affected.

Regional Impact

Heavy rains have lashed northern Tamil Nadu, causing waterlogging in several parts of Chennai. Madhavaram recorded 11 cm of rainfall, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam recorded 10 cm each over a 24-hour period. Chennai Corporation data shows the city received an average rainfall of 76.07 mm, with Parrys recording a high of 149.2 mm. Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts are closed, and an orange alert has been issued for Chennai, alongside orange and yellow alerts across eleven districts in Telangana. Fisheries Department officials rescued seven fishermen whose boat got trapped near Juvvaladinne village in SPSR Nellore district. The IMD has issued a total ban on fishermen venturing into the sea from November 2 to 4.

Context

Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal frequently intensify during the northeast monsoon season, bringing destructive winds and heavy downpours to India's eastern coastline. State disaster response forces and national agencies routinely pre-position rescue teams in vulnerable coastal districts to minimize loss of life and property ahead of major landfalls.