Heavy rainfall, uprooted trees, power outages: Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra coast

A cyclone makes landfall when its center moves from the ocean across a coastline onto land. This is a key moment because the storm’s strongest winds and heaviest rain can affect coastal communities directly. Landfall does not mean the storm instantly disappears; dangerous weather can continue afterward.

Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. It made this crossing between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday, with winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. The storm brought heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and a possible storm surge.

After crossing the coast, Murasu was forecast to move north-northwestwards and weaken. Its winds were expected to fall to 80–90 kmph by Tuesday afternoon, then to 55–65 kmph by midnight as it became a deep depression. Rain and flooding risks still remained during this weakening stage.

Murasu was classified as a severe cyclonic storm when it crossed the coast. Its sustained winds reached 100–110 kmph, while gusts reached 120 kmph. That strength was enough to uproot trees and electric poles, damage roads, and disrupt power and communications across several Andhra Pradesh districts.

The heaviest listed rainfall occurred at Kothapatnam in Prakasam district. It received 16.4 cm between 8.30 am Monday and 5 am Tuesday. Naguluppalapadu recorded 11.4 cm, Chirala 10 cm, and Pelluru 9.3 cm. Several other places received more than 7 cm during the same reporting period.

These figures show that Murasu’s impact came from both wind and water. Heavy spells were expected to continue over south coastal Andhra Pradesh until Tuesday evening. The storm surge also threatened low-lying areas, especially around Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.

Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. The crossing happened between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday. At that time, the severe cyclonic storm carried winds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.

The storm affected parts of Prakasam, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Guntur districts. Its impacts also reached other parts of Andhra Pradesh. Reports included heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, uprooted trees and electric poles, power outages, communication disruptions, and road damage.

The coastal threat continued after landfall. Heavy rain was likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh until Tuesday evening. A storm surge of about 1.0–1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was expected to inundate low-lying areas, with the highest peak surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.

Cyclone damage often comes from several hazards acting together. Murasu’s powerful winds pushed against trees, poles, and other structures, uprooting trees and electric poles. Falling trees and poles can block roads and break electricity lines, leading to outages and travel problems.

Rain added a second, separate pressure. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall can leave roads waterlogged, weaken road surfaces, and wash away or damage sections of transport routes. The article reports these effects in Prakasam, Palnadu, Bapatla, Guntur, and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. It also records 16.4 cm at Kothapatnam.

The same physical damage can interrupt communications. Fallen poles, damaged electrical networks, and flooded access routes can disrupt the infrastructure that carries power and communications. Heavy rain was expected to continue until Tuesday evening, so repairs, transport, and communication could remain difficult even as Murasu weakened.

A storm surge is a temporary rise in coastal water caused mainly by a storm’s winds pushing seawater toward the shore. It is measured above the astronomical tide, the water level produced by the regular gravitational effects of the Moon and Sun. The two levels can occur together, increasing coastal flooding.

For Murasu, a surge of about 1.0–1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was very likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. This water can move inland across locations that are only slightly above sea level. The article expected the maximum peak surge over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.

The surge was forecast to decrease gradually after the next few hours. It was expected to fall below 0.5 metres by noon. Even a declining surge can remain dangerous when combined with heavy rain, poor drainage, high tides, and water already covering roads or low-lying ground.

A tropical cyclone draws much of its energy from warm ocean water. Evaporation supplies moist air, and rising, condensing air releases heat that helps maintain the storm’s circulation. After landfall, that ocean supply is cut off. Land is generally less able to provide continuous moisture and heat.

The storm also encounters greater friction over land than over water. Hills, buildings, forests, and uneven terrain slow and disrupt its winds. Rainfall can remove moisture, while the storm’s circulation becomes less organized. These effects usually reduce wind speed, though dangerous rain and flooding can continue.

Murasu was expected to weaken from a severe cyclonic storm into a cyclonic storm, with winds of 80–90 kmph and gusts to 100 kmph, by Tuesday afternoon. By midnight, it was forecast to become a deep depression, with winds of 55–65 kmph and gusts to 75 kmph.

Tropical cyclones begin around areas of low pressure over warm tropical ocean water. Heat causes seawater to evaporate, filling the air above it with moisture. Warm, moist air rises, and surrounding air moves inward near the surface. Earth’s rotation helps organize this inflow into a spinning circulation.

As the moist air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses into clouds and rain. Condensation releases heat into the storm’s core. That extra heat makes the air rise more strongly, lowering pressure and drawing in more moist air from the ocean. This repeating process can build stronger winds and taller rain clouds.

The article does not describe Murasu’s formation, but its heavy rainfall and strong winds fit these basic cyclone processes. Once Murasu moved over land, it was expected to weaken because the ocean’s steady heat and moisture supply was no longer directly available.