New Delhi, Nov. 1 -- Cyclone Murasu intensified over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Sunday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a cyclone alert for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts. The storm is expected to develop into a severe cyclonic storm before making landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur around midnight on November 2 or in the early hours of November 3.
According to the IMD's 11.30 am bulletin on Sunday, the cyclone was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph. It was centred over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, approximately 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 660 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 630 km east-southeast of Nellore.
The weather department said Murasu was likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of November 2 before moving northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, are expected when the system crosses the coast. The IMD has indicated a possible landfall window between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3.
With the approaching cyclone likely to bring heavy rain and strong winds to neighbouring regions, the Odisha government has stepped up preparedness in its southern districts. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said a high alert had been declared across the southern region, with authorities instructed to evacuate residents from low-lying areas and vulnerable hilly locations.
The state is simultaneously continuing relief and rescue operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, which experienced heavy rainfall and flooding following Cyclone Arnab's impact on October 28.
Pujari chaired a preparatory meeting on Saturday to assess arrangements for the approaching storm and the possibility of flooding and waterlogging. The Ganjam district administration has been directed to maintain sufficient stocks of food, drinking water and other essential supplies in vulnerable locations.
Block development officers and tehsildars have been asked to prepare detailed contingency plans and ensure residents of high-risk areas are shifted to designated shelters by Sunday night, an official statement said.
Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea from November 2 to 4. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have also been kept on standby in vulnerable areas. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at several places in southern Odisha, with heavy showers likely at isolated locations on November 3 and 4. The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has issued warnings for November 2 and 3, predicting rainfall of 7 cm to 20 cm in some areas.
Winds in southern Odisha could reach 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, from the evening of November 2. They may strengthen to 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, on November 3 before weakening to 40-50 kmph by the afternoon of November 4.
District administrations have been directed to remain alert and prepared to respond to flooding, waterlogging and possible disruptions caused by the storm.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.