Cyclone Murasu makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, triggers heavy rain; thousands evacuated, coastal areas on alert

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast early Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region. The storm crossed the coastline near Ongole in Prakasam district at around 1am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Track live updates The storm comes less than a week after Cyclone Arnab affected parts of India's eastern coast. Andhra Pradesh had stepped up evacuation and disaster management measures ahead of the cyclone's arrival. Around 2,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable coastal areas, with the administration planning to move approximately 30,000 people to safer locations, as per PTI.

Earlier, over 1.6 lakh people were evacuated from five vulnerable districts of Odisha by 6 pm on Monday ahead of cyclone Murasu's landfall, with Ganjam accounting for around 1.5 lakh of those evacuated. At least 1.4 lakh more people are expected to be moved to safer locations as the state steps up its preparations to deal with the cyclone, HT has learnt.

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure that rescue, relief and restoration arrangements were in place. The state government had also taken precautionary measures to protect irrigation infrastructure, reservoirs and agricultural land.

Around 31,000 electricity poles had been dispatched to facilitate restoration work in case the storm damaged power infrastructure. The administration is now assessing the extent of damage to electricity networks, roads, houses and crops.

The IMD had forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, with extremely heavy rainfall possible at isolated locations. Telangana was also expected to receive heavy rainfall as the weather system moves inland after crossing the coast.

Parts of Tamil Nadu, south Odisha and Chhattisgarh were also under a weather alert. The weather department has warned that rainfall activity could continue even after landfall, as the cyclone weakens and moves inland. Railway authorities also cancelled nine trains as a precautionary measure ahead of the cyclone's arrival.

Passengers have been advised to check with airlines and railway authorities for updated schedules and service information. Odisha had moved more than 1.6 lakh people to safer locations as a precaution, with several southern districts placed on alert.

Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri were among the districts expected to receive heavy rainfall. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services were kept ready for emergency operations.

Tamil Nadu had also extended assistance to Andhra Pradesh by sending three NDRF teams comprising 90 personnel and electricity department teams with 500 personnel to support rescue and power restoration work. The back-to-back cyclones have raised concerns over further damage to agriculture and infrastructure, particularly in areas still recovering from Cyclone Arnab.

Before landfall, the IMD had warned of a storm surge of around 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide in low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. The warning covered vulnerable stretches of the coast, including parts of Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

The IMD is continuing to monitor the system and is expected to issue further updates on its movement, intensity and rainfall forecast as Murasu weakens over land.