Cyclone Murasu LIVE: Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, NDRF teams from Chennai rushed to Andhra

Cyclone Murasu has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm. This matters because stronger storms bring greater risks from rain, wind, flooding, and possible coastal impacts. The storm is approaching India’s eastern coast, prompting emergency preparations.

Andhra Pradesh is central to the response. Prakasam district has been placed on high alert, while 19 flights have been cancelled in Andhra. Reports also describe heavy rain along the eastern coast and thousands of people being moved to safety. NDRF teams are being sent from Chennai to Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are bracing for heavy rain. The reports describe Murasu as approaching, but they do not state that landfall has occurred. Authorities are therefore focusing on readiness, evacuation, rescue capacity, transport disruption, and continued monitoring as the storm develops.

A severe cyclonic storm is a tropical cyclone that has reached a higher strength category, especially in sustained wind intensity. The category matters because stronger winds can damage buildings, trees, power lines, roads, and transport systems. Heavy rain can add flooding risk.

Unlike a weaker cyclone, a severe cyclonic storm generally produces more dangerous conditions over a larger area. In Murasu’s case, the reported effects include heavy rain on the eastern coast, cancelled flights, high alert in Prakasam district, and evacuations. These are practical signs of a growing threat, even though the source does not provide wind-speed figures.

The current reports describe Murasu as having intensified into this stronger category. That change explains the heightened response by authorities and the NDRF. It also means residents and transport operators must act on warnings early, before worsening weather makes movement and rescue more difficult.

The storm has already disrupted travel and displaced large numbers of people. Nineteen flights were cancelled in Andhra Pradesh, while thousands were moved to safety. These figures show that Murasu is affecting both transport networks and communities near threatened areas.

Flight cancellations are a direct response to unsafe or expected weather conditions. Moving thousands of people is a wider protective measure, designed to reduce exposure to the approaching storm. The reports also mention heavy rain along the eastern coast and high alert in Prakasam district, reinforcing the scale of the response.

The exact number of people evacuated is not provided in the source, so the available figure is only “thousands.” The situation could expand if rain, wind, flooding, or coastal conditions worsen. Authorities are also keeping rescue teams ready and limiting air travel as the cyclone approaches.

India’s National Disaster Response Force, or NDRF, is a specialist emergency organisation used during disasters. Its cyclone role can include helping with evacuations, rescues, relief operations, and urgent support in affected communities. This matters when flooding, damaged infrastructure, or dangerous weather restricts local response.

The reports state that NDRF teams were rushed from Chennai to Andhra Pradesh. Prakasam district was on high alert, and the cyclone was approaching the eastern coast. The teams were also described as being on standby, showing that authorities wanted trained responders ready before conditions became more dangerous.

The source does not list the teams’ specific equipment or completed operations. It does show a precautionary deployment. Sending help ahead of the storm can shorten response time if communities need rescue, evacuation assistance, or relief after heavy rain and strong winds affect Andhra Pradesh.

A severe cyclone can create several hazards at once. Strong winds may damage buildings, trees, power lines, and roads. Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage and cause flooding. If the system reaches the coast, dangerous conditions can affect low-lying communities and transport routes. Together, these hazards make rescue and travel harder.

Murasu has already been linked with heavy rain along the eastern coast, 19 cancelled flights, and the movement of thousands of people to safety. Prakasam district is on high alert, and NDRF teams are being prepared. These actions reflect concern about possible disruption, even though the source does not report specific damage or confirmed landfall.

The immediate consequences may include further travel cancellations, isolation of communities, flooding, and demand for emergency assistance. The reports say Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are bracing for heavy rain. Continued monitoring and early action remain important as Murasu approaches.

Weather agencies track cyclones by observing their location, movement, size, wind strength, pressure, and rainfall. They use satellites and weather radar, along with measurements from the ocean and land. Computer models then estimate where the storm may travel and how strong it could become. The source does not name specific agencies or instruments.

Warnings are issued when forecast conditions may threaten communities, transport, or infrastructure. In Murasu’s case, reports describe heavy rain, a severe cyclonic storm, high alert in Prakasam, 19 cancelled flights, and thousands moved to safety. These decisions connect forecasts with practical risk management.

Authorities may cancel flights when weather could make air travel unsafe or severely disrupt airports. They may order evacuations when people face dangerous wind, rain, flooding, or coastal conditions. As Murasu approaches, updated observations and forecasts will guide further alerts and response decisions.

Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean water when heat and moisture rise into the atmosphere. As moist air rises, it can lower pressure near the surface. More air moves inward, rises, and releases heat as water vapour condenses. Earth’s rotation helps the circulation organise around the low-pressure centre.

A cyclone intensifies when the ocean continues supplying heat and moisture, the circulation becomes better organised, and upper-level winds do not tear the storm apart. A moist atmosphere also supports stronger thunderstorms around the centre. These processes can increase wind speeds and rainfall, moving a system into a more severe category.

Murasu is reported to have intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, but the source does not explain which physical conditions caused that change. It does show the consequences of intensification: heavy rain, cancelled flights, high alert, NDRF deployment, and thousands moved to safety as the storm approaches.