Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu on alert as cyclone ‘Murasu’ looms

Heavy to very heavy rain is expected across parts of three states, while Odisha continues searching for people missing after Cyclone Arnab.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to remain fully prepared for relief and rescue operations as another cyclone threat loomed over the state, while Tamil Nadu directed district collectors to remain on high alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days and Odisha stepped up preparedness in its southern region.

Days after Andhra Pradesh was battered by Cyclone Arnab, high-speed winds are expected to hit the coastal state by November 3. (@NASAEarth)

This cyclone has been named ‘Murasu’ by India, meaning war drum. The previous cyclone to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast, neighbouring Odisha, was Arnab. It had wind speeds up to 150 kmph when it made landfall on October 28.

“Another cyclone is approaching Andhra Pradesh and officials must remain fully prepared to undertake relief and rescue operations, as a severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the coast near Bapatla on the morning of November 3,” Naidu said in a press release.

Tracking the cyclone

The system is likely to bring moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy showers, over south and central coastal districts on November 2. Several areas may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4, with wind speeds of up to 110 kmph expected during landfall.

Of the 20 mandals forecast to receive extremely heavy rainfall, nine are in Eluru district, five each in Krishna and NTR districts and one in Bapatla.

Preliminary estimates indicate that strong winds could damage around 15,128 electricity poles across 12 districts.

Naidu directed officials to keep adequate manpower and equipment ready for relief and rescue operations and shift necessary personnel and materials to vulnerable areas in advance.

In Tamil Nadu, the additional chief secretary and commissioner of revenue administration has instructed the district collectors to mobilise all administrative machinery and take adequate preparedness measures. Authorities have also been asked to maintain strict vigilance and immediately report any untoward incident to the State Emergency Operations Centre.

On November 1, heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Tiruvallur district, while heavy rain is expected at isolated places in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet and the Nilgiris.

On November 2, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places in Chennai and Tiruvallur, with heavy rain continuing in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris.

Odisha disaster management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government was fully prepared to tackle the impending cyclone and assured people not to panic.

The state has already sounded a high alert in the southern region, including Ganjam, which was severely hit by Cyclone Arnab, he said, adding orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas and hilly terrain before Murasu makes landfall.

Odisha cyclone toll at 6

Meanwhile, the death toll in Odisha due to Cyclone Arnab rose to six on Sunday with the recovery of two more bodies from a landslide-hit village on the border of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, while search was underway for 10 missing people, officials said. Home to around 26 people, the hilltop Gidipabali village disappeared from the map after huge amount of sludge and debris cascaded down the hills and levelled houses.