Murasu Cyclone Triggers Heavy Rains and Exam Postponements Across Tamil Nadu

Heavy rains lashed Chennai and surrounding districts due to the Murasu cyclone, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting transport and education. The regional meteorological centre reported that the system lay 150 kilometres northeast of Chennai in the west-central Bay of Bengal and was set to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Monday midnight and early Tuesday. High winds reaching 80 kilometres per hour accompanied the storm, while rough seas sent waves surging 1.4 to 21 metres high, prompting warnings against visiting the Marina and Pazhaverkadu beaches. Authorities declared school holidays in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts, while the University of Madras postponed all practical and other scheduled Monday exams. According to the Airports Authority of India, eleven flight services connecting Chennai to Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kadapa, and Tiruchirappalli were cancelled. In Cuddalore, port officials hoisted the number three danger signal. Rainfall figures over the preceding 24 hours showed 15 centimetres in Kadappakkam and Paris, 14 centimetres in Manali Pudunagar and Manali, and 13 centimetres in Sattangadu. Meanwhile, according to Andhrajyothy, the severe weather also impacted Srikakulam district, where paddy crops across roughly 21,519 hectares had already been submerged by the earlier Arnab cyclone. Farmers faced fresh distress as early Monday rains from the Murasu system worsened flooding in fields across Narasannapeta, Tekkali, and Srikakulam mandals, leading to rotting crops and sprouting grain. The Srikakulam RTC complex and local residential colonies also waterlogged, causing severe travel difficulties for passengers.

Context

Cyclonic storms frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon season, bringing intense rainfall and strong winds to India's eastern coastline. Local authorities routinely suspend educational classes, restrict maritime access, and hoist port storm warnings to protect public safety during such severe weather events.