Ongole Bureau
Summary: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 3 November. According to the weather department, the landfall process began at about 1 am, and the centre crossed the coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, between 3:30 am and 5:30 am. Winds of 100 to 110 kmph were recorded, gusting to 120 kmph. Heavy rain is expected over south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours, storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres threatens low-lying areas, and more than 1.60 lakh people in Odisha had already been moved to safety before the storm arrived.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu, which rose over the Bay of Bengal, struck the Andhra Pradesh coast in the intervening night of 2 and 3 November. According to the weather department, the landfall process began at about 1 am on 3 November. The outer part of the storm started entering the coast, while its main part was very close to the shoreline. By morning, the centre had crossed the coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur. The weather department’s latest update says the crossing took place between 3:30 am and 5:30 am, when the storm was near latitude 15.53 degrees north and longitude 80.22 degrees east. During this period, wind speed was 100 to 110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. As soon as it hit the coast, heavy rain began in Ongole and nearby areas, several trees were uprooted, and normal life started getting affected.
How the landfall happened: process from 1 am, centre crosses by morning
According to the weather department, Murasu’s landfall happened in stages. At about 1 am, the leading edge of the storm’s wall clouds began reaching land, and the eye of the cyclone started touching the coast. At about 1:30 am, the storm was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast. At that time, it was about 40 km south-east of Ongole, 60 km north-east of Kavali and 70 km south of Bapatla. The storm then kept moving north-northwestwards, and its centre crossed the coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, between 3:30 am and 5:30 am. The landfall process was expected to last about two hours, during which strong winds and heavy rain were recorded continuously in the coastal areas. The weather department is issuing regular updates, because the spread of rain keeps changing as the storm moves inland.
Wind, rain and the storm-surge threat
The biggest dangers during landfall are strong winds, heavy rain and the storm surge in the sea. According to the weather department, winds of 110 kmph were recorded with the storm, reaching 120 kmph in gusts. These winds continued over the coastal areas till the morning. Heavy rain is expected over south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours. The sea may rise in a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres above the normal tide. Such waves can flood low-lying areas and create flood-like conditions in Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Reports of trees falling, power lines snapping and roads getting blocked are also coming in because of the strong winds. The administration has advised people to stay in safe places, because the spell of wind and rain has not fully passed yet.
Which districts face how much rain
The weather department has issued different levels of rain warnings for several districts of Andhra Pradesh. Extremely heavy rain is expected at one or two places in Palnadu, Tirupati and Nandyal districts. Heavy to very heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. Heavy rain is also possible at one or two places in the northern coastal districts and Yanam. This means the danger is not limited to the landfall area alone, because the outer rain bands of the cyclone are also affecting neighbouring regions. People have been asked to keep an eye on the weather department’s latest updates and avoid unnecessary travel, especially near low-lying areas and streams.
Situation in Ongole and Prakasam: strong winds and rain at Kothapatnam beach
The most direct impact of the landfall has been seen in Prakasam district. Heavy rain with very strong winds is lashing the Kothapatnam beach area near Ongole. Local people have said the wind is so strong that trees are bending and sand is flying. Continuous rain has started filling roads with water. Several parts of Vijayawada city are also receiving continuous rain since late Monday night, causing inconvenience to commuters. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure that there is no loss of life. He has said people should be advised not to step out of their homes, information should reach people through village and ward offices, canals and tanks should be protected, and power supply should be kept in order. Keeping the protection of life as the highest priority, learning from past events, has also been stressed.
Big evacuation in Odisha: more than 1.60 lakh people moved to safety
Even before the storm moved towards the Andhra coast, large-scale preparations had been made in neighbouring Odisha. The Odisha government has evacuated more than 1.60 lakh people from five southern districts and shifted them to relief camps. The plan was to shift a total of 3.33 lakh people to safe places. More than 300 teams of the National Disaster Response Force, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and the Odisha Fire Service have been deployed for people’s safety. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P. Patil has said about 150 places in Gajapati district have been identified as landslide-prone, and people are being shifted from there to safe locations. In Ganjam district, about 1.50 lakh people have been shifted to safe places in view of the existing flood situation. Odisha is also still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Arnab last week, which is why the administration appears more alert this time.
Impact on Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Chennai
The impact of Cyclone Murasu has not been limited to Andhra Pradesh. Continuous rain has been reported in Puducherry since midnight, affecting normal life. The outer rain bands of the cyclone are currently affecting north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Preparations have also been made in Chennai and parts of Tiruvallur, which are very close to Andhra Pradesh. Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G. S. Sameeran has said the corporation had been preparing for the last two days to reduce the cyclone’s impact, so that the situation can be handled even if the city comes under the outer circle of the severe cyclonic storm. Caution is also being exercised in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu over rain and strong winds. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea, because high waves and strong winds there can prove fatal.
Flights cancelled, disaster-response teams deployed
Air traffic has also been affected by the storm. According to reports, 19 flights have been cancelled from three airports in Andhra Pradesh, while 11 flights have been cancelled from Chennai airport, taking the total to 30 affected flights. Passengers have been asked to check the latest status of their flight before going to the airport. For relief and rescue, 37 teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in five states, including 13 teams in Andhra Pradesh alone. Relief work has already begun in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, so that affected people get help immediately. The administration says restoring power, water and road connectivity will be the first priority as soon as the weather improves a little.
The Madhya Pradesh angle: a rain alert is already in force
For readers in Madhya Pradesh, this story also matters because a rain and storm alert linked to Cyclone Murasu’s impact on Madhya Pradesh is already in force in the state. That earlier alert had put 15 districts under a yellow alert for rain and storms and said the spell would continue till 5 November. Today’s landfall is the next chapter of that alert, but it does not mean the storm is directly hitting Madhya Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh, its effect may be seen indirectly, in the form of rain and a fall in temperature. People in the state are therefore advised to go by the latest alert issued for their own district, and not to directly link the Andhra coast landfall with the weather in Madhya Pradesh. Keeping an eye on the latest landfall updates from the weather department remains the safest way to stay informed.
What happens next and what precautions people should take
According to the weather department, the storm’s speed will gradually reduce as it moves inland, but the spell of rain may continue for a few more hours. Heavy rain is expected over south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours, so people in low-lying areas will have to remain alert. People have been asked to stay safely indoors, keep away from electricity poles and fallen wires, avoid passing through waterlogged roads, and not pay attention to rumours. Farmers and fishermen have also been advised to avoid going to the sea and open areas till the weather clears. Administration teams are on the ground, and the full assessment of damage will emerge only after the landfall. Till then, official updates remain the most reliable source.
Disclaimer: This story has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. In case of any factual error, a correction will be published.
