As Cyclone Murasu nears, Andhra braces for landfall; Odisha mobilises rescue teams

Cyclone Murasu is forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department placed its likely landfall between Nellore and Narasapur, south of Ongole, from about 11:30 pm Monday to 4 am Tuesday, November 3. Its centre was 110 kilometres from Nellore when the warning was issued.

The storm is expected to bring 100–110 kmph winds, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. Extremely heavy rain is forecast in Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor and Tirupati districts. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema are likely to receive widespread rain and thunderstorms.

Odisha’s Ganjam and Gajapati districts face heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds. Rain is also possible in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri and Khurda. Tamil Nadu is supporting Andhra Pradesh, while parts of West Bengal may see lighter rain on November 3 and 4.

A severe cyclonic storm is a strong tropical cyclone classified by its sustained wind speed. In India’s meteorological system, the category generally covers three-minute sustained winds of about 89–117 kmph. The article does not define the category, so this explanation uses established India Meteorological Department terminology.

For Murasu, a forecast of 100–110 kmph describes the storm’s continuing winds, measured over a standard period. Gusts up to 120 kmph are brief, faster bursts that can occur as the storm moves over land or uneven surfaces. Gusts can damage structures even when sustained winds are lower.

These speeds explain the emergency preparations. Strong winds can break electricity poles, damage roofs and trees, and disrupt roads. Combined with extreme rain, they can also cause flooding. The warning therefore supports evacuations, sheltering and rapid deployment of rescue and power teams.

The heaviest forecast rain is in Andhra Pradesh. Officials estimated about 30 centimetres in Palnadu, 24 centimetres in Prakasam and 19 centimetres in Markapuram. Krishna, Guntur, Eluru and Nellore could receive up to about 9 centimetres. The storm’s winds may reach 100–110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.

Odisha has pre-positioned more than 300 rescue teams from the NDRF, ODRAF and Odisha Fire Service. The article gives the number of teams, not the total number of people in those teams. Tamil Nadu has sent 500 electricity department personnel in 25 teams to help restore Andhra Pradesh’s power supply.

Tamil Nadu also deployed three NDRF teams, comprising 90 personnel, from near Arakkonam. These resources cover evacuation, rescue, emergency response and electricity restoration. Their deployment reflects the storm’s expected reach beyond its landfall zone and the need for faster recovery after damage.

Odisha is preparing because a cyclone’s effects can spread well beyond its exact landfall point. Although Murasu is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast, officials forecast heavy rain in Ganjam and Gajapati, with thunderstorms, lightning and 40–50 kmph gusty winds. Other districts may also receive rain.

The most exposed Odisha districts named by the disaster management minister are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Evacuations have begun from low-lying and vulnerable places in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal. District collectors are on alert, and southern districts have been placed on high alert.

Odisha also kept disaster response teams from Cyclone Arnab in their existing locations. More than 300 teams from the NDRF, ODRAF and Odisha Fire Service were pre-positioned. This preparation matters because heavy rainfall can overwhelm local drainage, while strong winds can damage homes, roads and electricity systems even without a direct landfall.

A severe cyclone combines two major hazards: powerful winds and intense rainfall. Winds can damage roofs, trees, roads and electricity poles. Heavy rain can flood low-lying settlements, weaken roads and disrupt transport. These risks explain why authorities are moving people from vulnerable areas into safe shelters.

The article gives concrete warnings. Andhra Pradesh expects up to 30 centimetres of rain in Palnadu and 24 centimetres in Prakasam. Tamil Nadu is sending 500 electricity personnel because power systems and poles have been damaged or disrupted. Odisha has also prepared rescue teams and evacuation arrangements.

Rain can fill tanks and reservoirs, which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asked officials to manage efficiently. However, extreme inflows require close control because drainage and storage systems can become stressed. The article does not report final damage from Murasu, so these are expected risks, not confirmed outcomes. Restoration work was ordered within 48 hours.

The three states are dividing tasks according to where help is needed. Andhra Pradesh is coordinating preparations through the chief minister, district collectors and senior officials. Its administration is responsible for alerting districts, protecting life and property, managing water storage, and completing restoration after the storm.

Odisha is focusing on people and rescue capacity. It has put collectors on alert, raised readiness in southern districts, evacuated residents from vulnerable areas and pre-positioned more than 300 teams from the NDRF, ODRAF and Odisha Fire Service. Teams used during Cyclone Arnab remain in place.

Tamil Nadu is supporting Andhra Pradesh’s electricity recovery. It deployed 500 electricity department personnel in 25 teams after a request from Chandrababu Naidu. Three NDRF teams, comprising 90 personnel, were also sent from near Arakkonam. The arrangement combines local leadership, neighbouring-state rescue support and specialist power restoration.

Tropical cyclones generally begin over warm seas. Heat from the water adds moisture to rising air, helping thunderstorms grow around a low-pressure centre. As air flows inward, Earth’s rotation helps organize the system into a rotating storm. If warm water and favourable atmospheric conditions continue, the cyclone can strengthen.

India’s eastern coast is especially exposed because it borders the Bay of Bengal, a major basin for tropical cyclones. Storms there can move toward Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The article illustrates this wide exposure: Murasu is expected to land in Andhra Pradesh, while Odisha and West Bengal may also receive rain and wind.

The article focuses on forecasts and preparations rather than cyclone formation. It reports Murasu moving at 14 kmph and carrying winds of 100–110 kmph, with stronger gusts. Because coastal impacts can spread across state borders, warnings, evacuations and emergency teams must be coordinated across several administrations.