Cyclone Murasu makes landfall at Andhra coast, heavy rain disrupts life
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu was crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The storm is forecast to bring sustained winds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. In its 8.30 pm update on Monday, the IMD said Murasu was moving north-northwestwards at 12 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
The cyclone was located approximately 60 km east of Kavali, 80 km northeast of Nellore, 90 km southeast of Ongole and 160 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam.
Doppler weather radars in Chennai, Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam were monitoring the storm.
The approaching cyclone triggered heavy rainfall across coastal regions, prompting authorities to activate disaster response teams, evacuate vulnerable residents and cancel flights.
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports on Monday. IndiGo cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express two at Vijayawada, while Visakhapatnam reported four cancellations and Tirupati three.
In Tamil Nadu, torrential rain affected Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts, with several areas of Chennai experiencing waterlogging. Schools in Chennai were closed on Monday, while airport authorities advised passengers to check with their airlines regarding flight disruptions.
The IMD warned of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai and Tiruvallur. Heavy rain was also forecast for Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris. Rainfall intensity is expected to ease only after the cyclone completes its landfall and moves inland.