Cyclone Murasu weakens into cyclonic storm over Andhra Pradesh, IMD reports

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: No loss of life in Andhra Pradesh, says NDRF: The severe cyclonic storm Murasu over south coastal Andhra Pradesh weakened into a cyclonic storm at around 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, according to a 4 p.m. bulletin from the India Meteorological Department. The system moved north-northwestwards at 7 kmph, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80 to 90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph. The eye of the storm crossed the coast at 5.30 a.m., and the weather system is expected to weaken further into a deep depression by Tuesday midnight with wind speeds reaching up to 75 kmph.

Locations and Rainfall

The storm was centred at about 40 km west-northwest of Bapatla, 60 km north of Ongole, 80 km southwest of Vijayawada, 120 km north of Kavali, and 110 km west of Machilipatnam. Heavy rains pounded several areas, with Konanki in Martur mandal of Bapatla district recording 182.25 mm of rainfall between 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m., the highest in the state. Gurijepalli in Prakasam district reached 121 mm by 2 p.m., while 18 rain gauges across Bapatla, Palnadu, Guntur, Prakasam, and West Godavari districts crossed 100 mm. Guntur city recorded 74.5 mm and Vijayawada recorded 48.5 mm of rain.

Government Action

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the rainfall and wind intensity with Chief Secretary Shri Sai Prasad and other senior officials. Authorities managed flood waters by pumping about 180 cusecs reaching Undavalli into the Krishna River and channelising flows near the Western Bypass Road. Meanwhile, the Real Time Governance Society launched the 'Mana Mitra' WhatsApp Governance platform at the number 9552300009 for citizens to report emergencies like power outages, uprooted trees, and waterlogging.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form over the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to India's eastern coastline. Meteorological departments continuously track these systems to issue timely warnings and help state disaster management agencies coordinate relief operations.