Cyclone Murasu: Very heavy rainfall continues to pound Bapatla, flash flood alerts issued

Cyclone Murasu is the named storm affecting coastal Andhra Pradesh in the article. It remained classified as a Severe Cyclonic Storm even after crossing the coast. The IMD expected it to weaken into a less intense cyclonic storm, but that change had not occurred by 3 p.m. on November 3.

The key difference is wind strength. Gales of 95–105 kmph were still affecting the coast. After weakening, winds were expected to decrease to 85–95 kmph. The storm would still be dangerous, even with lower winds, because rain and storm surge could continue causing flooding.

The storm’s delayed weakening kept warnings active. The APSDMA expected very heavy rain in six districts, while the IMD issued flash-flood alerts for six others facing moderate risk. Murasu had already crossed the coast, but its continuing strength meant communities still faced hazardous weather.

The storm brought exceptionally heavy rain and powerful winds to coastal Andhra Pradesh. Bapatla continued receiving more than 150 mm of rain on November 3. The strongest reported coastal gales reached 95–105 kmph, and the IMD expected them to ease to 85–95 kmph after the storm weakened.

Rainfall totals show how intense the event was. Between 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Konanki in Bapatla received 182.25 mm. Martur recorded 174.75 mm. Edlapadu and Chilakaluripeta in Palnadu received 147.45 mm and 147.13 mm. These totals came within a few hours.

Rainfall in Prakasam slowed on Tuesday morning after extremely heavy rain overnight. Bapatla remained under very heavy rain, however. Because Murasu had not weakened as expected, authorities warned that further rain and strong winds could worsen flooding and disruption along the coast.

The IMD placed six Andhra Pradesh districts under flash-flood alerts: Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, and Prakasam. The agency described these districts as facing a moderate flash-flood threat because of the storm surge. The warning mattered because Murasu remained stronger than expected.

Very heavy rain can send more water into rivers, drains, fields, and streets than they can carry away. The article records more than 150 mm in Bapatla, including 182.25 mm at Konanki within several hours. Storm surge adds seawater pushed inland by the storm. Together, rainwater and surge can cover roads and low-lying areas quickly.

The danger was not limited to one location. The storm had crossed near Prakasam and Bapatla, while very heavy rainfall was also expected in nearby districts. Continued rain could deepen flooding, isolate settlements, disrupt travel, and threaten homes and public services in vulnerable areas.

Cyclone Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Ongole. The crossing occurred near Kothapatnam in Prakasam district and Chinnaganjam in Bapatla district. The article places the crossing between 3.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. on November 3.

After crossing, the storm moved north-northwestwards at 8 kmph until 1 p.m. At that time, weather experts located it about 30 km north-northeast of Ongole and 40 km southwest of Bapatla. It was also 90 km north-northeast of Kavali, 100 km southsouthwest of Vijayawada, and 120 km west-southwest of Machilipatnam.

This movement kept several coastal and nearby districts exposed to rain, wind, and surge-related flooding. The storm’s position also explained why authorities continued warnings after landfall. Crossing the coast did not immediately end the threat, especially because the system had not weakened as forecast.

The IMD and APSDMA warned early because the storm remained active after crossing the coast. The IMD had expected Murasu to weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon, but it was still a Severe Cyclonic Storm at 3 p.m. Winds of 95–105 kmph and continuing heavy rain meant the danger had not passed.

Forecast agencies use current observations and expected storm behavior to identify threats before impacts peak. Here, the IMD identified a moderate flash-flood threat from storm surge in six districts. The APSDMA separately warned that very heavy rain was likely in Polavaram, Kakinada, NTR, Krishna, Bapatla, and Palnadu.

Advance warnings help officials prepare emergency services, monitor rivers and roads, and alert residents in exposed areas. They also reduce surprise. In this case, the delayed weakening and ongoing rain meant warnings needed to continue even after the storm crossed Andhra Pradesh.

Rainfall of more than 150 mm in a few hours can overwhelm a landscape because water arrives faster than soil, drains, rivers, and channels can process it. Some rain may soak into the ground, but saturated soil absorbs less. The remaining water runs across roads, fields, and urban surfaces.

Drainage pipes and channels have limited capacity. When incoming water exceeds that capacity, drains back up and streets become flooded. Rivers can also rise rapidly when tributaries and surface runoff pour into them at once. Roads may become impassable, and low-lying settlements can fill first. In coastal areas, storm surge may push seawater inland and slow the escape of rainwater.

The article reports 182.25 mm at Konanki and 174.75 mm at Martur between 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Such totals explain the flash-flood alerts for six districts. Continued rain could expand flooding and prolong disruption.

Tropical cyclones usually begin over warm ocean water. Heat from the sea causes moist air to rise. As that air rises and its water vapour condenses, it releases energy that powers more upward motion. Air then flows toward the lower pressure near the centre, while Earth’s rotation helps organize the system’s circulation.

A cyclone can strengthen while it remains over sufficiently warm water and has favourable atmospheric conditions. Its circulation draws in more moist air, allowing the storm to maintain strong winds and heavy rain. The process is different from ordinary rainfall because the storm is a large, organized rotating system.

After moving over land, a cyclone usually loses its main moisture and heat source. Friction from the ground also disrupts its circulation, while drier air can weaken its clouds and rainbands. Murasu crossed Andhra Pradesh but remained dangerous afterward, showing that weakening is gradual rather than immediate.