Cyclone Murasu weakens to deep depression, no fatalities reported in Andhra Pradesh

Cyclone Murasu has weakened into a deep depression with no deaths recorded in Andhra Pradesh. The storm’s eye crossed the coast between 3:30 am and 5:30 am on Tuesday, making landfall near Ongole between Nellore and Narasapur. Winds reached 100‑110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph, later expected to fall to 75 kmph by midnight. Heavy rain battered the coast; Naguluppalapadu mandal logged the highest 24‑hour total of 198 mm, while Kothapatnam recorded 182.3 mm and Ongole Urban 174.7 mm. Other districts saw rain gauges exceed 100 mm, including Konanki in Bapatla with 182.25 mm and Gurijepalli in Prakasam rising to 121 mm by mid‑afternoon. Several thatched houses collapsed and residents were stranded at Samatha Nagar, Ongole; the statue of Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu fell after a tree toppled onto it. The state’s Real Time Governance Society opened a dedicated “Mana Mitra” WhatsApp line (9552300009) for reporting power cuts, uprooted trees, water‑logging and other emergencies. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu thanked the centre and Home Minister Amit Shah for swift assistance and said state teams are coordinating with central forces. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 14 teams, joined by State Disaster Response Force units, to aid rescue and road clearing. Train services on the Vijayawada‑Ongole‑Gudur line remain suspended. Telangana placed three districts under red alert as the storm moved north‑northwestward. ## Context The storm’s weakening follows earlier warnings and shows how coordinated state‑centre efforts can limit loss of life during severe weather events.