Cyclone Murasu: Disaster Response Teams Deployed in Andhra Pradesh

The State of Andhra Pradesh has deployed six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and seven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams in districts likely to be affected by Cyclone Murasu. These include Krishna, Bapatla, Guntur, Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Palnadu, and Tirupati.

District Collector Dr. Vinod Kumar V. in Bapatla has directed officials to take all precautionary measures, citing heavy rainfall expected in the district and substantial inflows from neighboring regions. The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Ongole between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Schools and colleges in Guntur district will remain closed on Monday due to the heavy rainfall warning. Officials have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from dilapidated buildings, streams, and wet electricity poles.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Murasu is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall near Ongole on the night of November 2 or early morning of November 3. Wind speeds are projected to reach 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.

Odisha’s death toll from Cyclone Arnab rose to six, with 10 people still missing. Officials are preparing for the next storm, which is expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3. Relief efforts for Arnab are ongoing.