Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra Pradesh coast as heavy rains trigger rescue efforts and emergency alerts

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: Cyclone wreaks havoc in coastal A.P.; no power disruptions reported so far: The eye of severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast during early morning hours on Tuesday, bringing intense rainfall and strong winds to the region. The system moved in a north to northwest direction at eight kilometres per hour, placing its centre near Ongole and Bapatla. Officials reported that thatched homes collapsed in Samatha Nagar while residents found themselves stranded by rising waters. Local administrative teams deployed rescue operations to evacuate affected families, while a falling tree toppled the statue of Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu at the Prakasam district Collectorate in Ongole.

Official Response

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prioritize drinking water, power restoration, and road connectivity alongside life-saving measures. The State government launched a dedicated WhatsApp grievance platform numbered 9552300009 via the Real Time Governance Society to handle civic complaints ranging from power outages to uprooted trees. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Mr. Naidu by phone to review damages and relief operations, while the Andhra Pradesh leader expressed gratitude to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for dispatching assistance teams. Neighbouring Telangana also sent energy personnel to help repair damaged electrical networks.

Weather Forecast

According to meteorological updates, the system was expected to weaken into a standard cyclonic storm by Tuesday afternoon with wind speeds reaching up to ninety kilometres per hour, before subsiding into a deep depression by midnight with winds near seventy-five kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department reported heavy downpours extending into neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where Chennai recorded 7.6 centimetres of rainfall, prompting flight cancellations and school closures.

Context

Coastal regions along the Bay of Bengal frequently face severe cyclonic storms during the northeast monsoon season, requiring extensive inter-state coordination and emergency mobilization. Meteorological agencies track these weather systems continuously to provide advance warnings and guide evacuation procedures before landfall occurs.