Odisha govt evacuates people from vulnerable areas as Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm

Cyclone Murasu is a powerful weather system over the Bay of Bengal. It intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, meaning its strength increased significantly. The change matters because stronger storms can affect wider areas and require faster evacuation and emergency preparations.

The India Meteorological Department forecast that Murasu would reach the coast with winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph. At the time of the bulletin, it was moving at 25 kmph and was centred east of Chennai and southeast of Nellore.

The storm was expected to cross the southern Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. Even though landfall was outside Odisha, the stronger system was already producing light rain there and could bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Odisha therefore placed vulnerable areas and emergency teams on alert.

The storm was forecast to cross the southern Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department placed the likely crossing between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. It expected landfall between 11:30 pm Monday and 4 am Tuesday.

The storm’s effects were not limited to the landfall point. Odisha’s Disaster Management Minister said southern districts could be affected as the system moved northwestwards. Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri were singled out for particular concern.

The IMD forecast heavy rain in parts of Gajapati and Ganjam, with thunderstorms, lightning, and winds of 40–50 kmph. Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri, and Khurda were also likely to receive rain. District collectors were alerted, and southern districts were placed on high alert.

Murasu was forecast to make landfall with sustained winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. Those speeds explain why authorities treated it as a severe cyclonic storm and moved quickly to protect vulnerable communities.

Rainfall was another major threat. Heavy rain was forecast in parts of Gajapati and Ganjam, while several other Odisha districts could also receive rain. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph were expected in some areas. Light rain had already begun in parts of Odisha.

The state pre-positioned more than 300 rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and Odisha Fire Service. The article does not provide a number for evacuees or the wider population involved. It does state that district collectors were alerted and southern districts placed on high alert.

Landfall identifies where the storm’s centre reaches land, not every place that feels its effects. A cyclone’s wind field and rain bands can spread across nearby regions. That is why Odisha began evacuating vulnerable residents even though Murasu was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The minister identified Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri as particularly exposed. The IMD forecast heavy rain in parts of Gajapati and Ganjam, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph. Other districts, including Puri and Khurda, could also receive rain.

Officials therefore strengthened emergency arrangements before conditions worsened. District collectors were alerted, southern districts were put on high alert, and more than 300 rescue teams were pre-positioned. Early evacuation gives people time to move from unsafe areas before roads, communications, or weather conditions deteriorate.

The India Meteorological Department provides the technical warning. Its bulletins described Murasu’s location, movement, expected landfall, wind speeds, rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusts. These forecasts help Odisha decide which districts need alerts, evacuations, and stronger preparations.

District collectors turn those warnings into local action. They oversee district-level readiness and help implement evacuation plans. The article says all collectors were put on alert, while southern districts were placed on high alert. This connects the weather forecast with decisions affecting communities.

The National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and Odisha Fire Service supply rescue capacity. More than 300 teams were pre-positioned before the storm’s arrival. Teams from these organisations can support evacuations and emergency response. The article also notes that teams deployed during Cyclone Arnab remained in the same locations for Murasu.

Cyclone warnings reduce risk by telling authorities and residents what may happen, where, and when. That information allows officials to identify vulnerable areas and begin evacuations before winds and rain intensify. It also helps communities prepare rather than react at the last moment.

Evacuation plans move people away from exposed locations to safer shelters or other protected places. The article reports that Odisha prioritised evacuation after Murasu intensified. District collectors were alerted, and southern districts were placed on high alert. These steps create an organised route from warning to protection.

Pre-positioned rescue teams shorten the time needed to reach affected communities. Odisha placed more than 300 NDRF, ODRAF, and Odisha Fire Service teams in readiness. Shelters and teams cannot stop the cyclone, but they can reduce exposure, support people during emergencies, and help recovery begin sooner. Their value is greatest when preparations happen before landfall.

The article does not explain how tropical cyclones form. In established meteorology, they develop over very warm ocean water when moist air rises, lowers pressure near the surface, and draws in more air. Earth’s rotation helps organize this circulation. Continued heat and moisture can strengthen the system.

The rising, moisture-rich air produces clouds and heavy rain, while the organized circulation creates powerful winds. When a cyclone approaches land, intense rainfall can overwhelm drainage and rivers, causing flooding. Strong winds can damage buildings, trees, power lines, and roads. Near the coast, winds and low pressure can push seawater inland, creating a storm surge.

Murasu’s forecast illustrates several of these hazards. The IMD expected 100–110 kmph winds, gusts to 120 kmph, heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. The article does not specifically mention flooding or storm surge, but these are established cyclone risks. Murasu was expected to weaken after moving over land, though impacts could continue.