Two die as cyclone Murasu hits Andhra Pradesh, educational centres shut

Cyclone Murasu brought dangerous weather after reaching South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain flooded low-lying areas, uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged crops and houses. These conditions made travel and outdoor activity unsafe, especially for children. Odisha also prepared for heavy rain and gusty winds linked to the weather system.

Authorities closed schools and Anganwadi centres in some southern Odisha districts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha declared holidays for educational institutions in several districts. Officials also moved vulnerable residents into shelters because heavy rain could trigger flooding and landslides.

The closures were a precaution, not a report of school damage. Rain was expected to continue in Andhra Pradesh for another two days. More than 300 disaster-response teams remained deployed in Odisha, while officials continued evacuations, rescue work and restoration planning.

Cyclone Murasu made landfall in Andhra Pradesh and moved inland across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. By Tuesday afternoon, it was about 40 kilometres west-northwest of Bapatla, 60 kilometres north of Ongole and 80 kilometres southwest of Vijayawada. The storm was weakening but remained hazardous.

At 2.30 pm, maximum sustained winds reached 80-90 kmph, with gusts up to 100 kmph. Between Monday and Tuesday mornings, Bapatla recorded 222.4 mm of rain. Narasapur received 198.6 mm, while Ongole recorded 120.2 mm over the same period.

The India Meteorological Department said Murasu would continue moving north-northwest. It was expected to weaken into a deep depression by midnight, with winds of 55-65 kmph and gusts up to 75 kmph. Rain was forecast to continue for two more days.

The evacuations were large because both states faced heavy rain, flooding and possible landslides. Andhra Pradesh reported 12,230 people in rehabilitation centres. Odisha moved more than 1.65 lakh people to safety and opened 592 permanent and temporary shelters across five southern districts.

The preliminary damage estimate in Andhra Pradesh was Rs 344 crore. Heavy rain damaged standing crops across 52,459 hectares and damaged 312 houses. Officials also monitored 814 minor irrigation tanks, placing 776 on high alert because intense rain could threaten their safety.

These figures show both the human and economic scale of the cyclone. Authorities continued shelter operations, drainage and restoration work while rain persisted. Odisha also kept more than 300 disaster-response teams deployed, including the NDRF, ODRAF and fire services.

A cyclone is a large rotating weather system that brings strong winds and heavy rain. It forms around a low-pressure centre and can cause flooding, damage and dangerous coastal or inland weather. The word describes the storm’s organised circulation and strength, not just rainfall.

A deep depression is a weaker classification in the India Meteorological Department’s system. In this case, Murasu had sustained winds of 80-90 kmph, with gusts up to 100 kmph, while a deep depression was forecast to have winds of 55-65 kmph and gusts up to 75 kmph.

The change in label showed that Murasu was losing strength, but it did not mean immediate safety. The IMD still expected heavy rain, and authorities continued sheltering residents, monitoring irrigation tanks and preparing for landslides.

The most vulnerable people were residents of low-lying areas, where intense rain could cause flooding or landslides. Pregnant women and elderly people needed extra protection because evacuation and medical care can be harder during severe weather. Communities near vulnerable slopes and drainage areas also faced heightened risk.

Authorities moved residents from low-lying areas in Bapatla and NTR districts to shelters overnight. At least 150 pregnant women and elderly people were transferred to hospitals and primary health centres. Andhra Pradesh placed 12,230 people in rehabilitation centres, while Odisha moved more than 1.65 lakh people to safety.

The measures reduced exposure while the storm moved inland and rain continued. Odisha operated 592 shelters and deployed more than 300 response teams. Officials kept watching weather conditions, irrigation tanks and landslide zones, with residents remaining in care until rains subsided where necessary.

A cyclone combines a deep low-pressure area with organised rotating winds. Warm, moist air rises into the storm, and condensation releases heat that helps maintain powerful circulation. The system also carries large amounts of moisture, so its winds and rainfall can affect wide areas at the same time.

When rain falls faster than soil, drains and rivers can absorb it, water collects and flooding develops. Saturated ground becomes heavier and less stable, especially on steep slopes. That can produce landslides. In the article, heavy rain flooded low-lying areas, while authorities anticipated possible landslides in Bapatla and NTR districts.

Murasu’s effects showed this combined threat. Bapatla received 222.4 mm in 24 hours, trees were uprooted and crops were damaged. Rain was expected for another two days, so shelters, monitoring and response teams remained important even as winds weakened.

Weather agencies track cyclones by repeatedly observing their position, pressure, cloud structure, rainfall and winds. Satellites provide broad views over the sea and land. Radar, weather stations and reports from authorities add local detail. Computer models then use these observations to estimate the storm’s future path and strength.

The IMD reported that Murasu moved north-northwest at 7 kmph during the six hours before 2.30 pm. It also recorded sustained winds of 80-90 kmph and forecast weakening into a deep depression. Locations near Bapatla, Ongole and Vijayawada helped describe the storm’s position.

Forecasts are updated as new observations arrive, so officials can adjust warnings and evacuations. In this case, the IMD forecast continued north-northwest movement and further weakening, while state authorities kept shelters, response teams and district officials ready for ongoing rain.