Odisha shifts over 1.6 lakh people as Cyclone Murasu moves toward Andhra Pradesh coast

Odisha has evacuated 1,60,021 people across five districts as severe cyclonic storm Murasu moves toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. This evacuation effort comes while normalcy is still missing in these areas after flash floods caused by heavy rain from earlier Cyclone Arnab.

Evacuation Numbers

The state government set a target to move 3,33,752 people from Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal districts. Ganjam has shifted the most residents with 1,51,434 people moved out of a target of 2,94,752. Malkangiri has moved 5,073 people out of 10,000, and Kandhamal has shifted 2,394 people. Gajapati and Koraput districts have evacuated 620 and 500 people respectively. Officials also moved 1,068 pregnant women to safer places across these five districts to keep vulnerable groups safe.

Weather And Landfall

Ganjam and Gajapati are currently getting light to moderate rainfall. Malkangiri is seeing light rainfall, while Koraput and Kandhamal have recorded very light rainfall. The India Meteorological Department states that the storm was moving at a speed of 25 kmph. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government is ready for the storm. Cyclone Murasu is expected to make landfall along the southern Andhra Pradesh coast on the night of November 2 to 3 with windspeeds reaching 100 to 110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph. Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and the coastal district of Puri are likely to be among the worst affected areas according to Mr. Pujari.

Context

Coastal regions of eastern India face frequent tropical storms during the post-monsoon season, forcing governments to undertake large-scale evacuations to prevent loss of life. These seasonal weather events often strike areas that are still recovering from previous heavy rains and floods, adding strain to local disaster response teams.