Ongole, Nov. 2 -- As Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Murasu' approaches the south Andhra Pradesh coast, local administrations have stepped up disaster preparedness and initiated massive evacuation drives, while weather officials indicated the system will also trigger widespread indirect rainfall across Kerala.

Prakasam District Collector P Raja Babu on Thursday said that high tides and strong winds have already begun impacting the coastline, prompting authorities to shift vulnerable communities to designated cyclone relief shelters.

"We are expecting Cyclone Murasu by this evening, as per meteorological department data. We have seven mandals along the coastline, and 26 vulnerable villages were identified, and 70 habitations are probably going to...