Cyclone Murasu Approaches Andhra Coast, Odisha Braces for Heavy Rain and Landslide Threat

Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are stepping up evacuation and disaster preparedness measures as continued rainfall raises the risk of landslides and Cyclone Murasu approaches the southern Andhra coast.

Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said nearly a week of continuous rainfall had heightened the possibility of landslides in Gajapati district. Authorities have identified around 150 landslide-prone locations and are relocating residents from vulnerable areas.

Patil also said approximately 1.5 lakh people had been moved to safer locations in Ganjam district amid the prevailing flood situation.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is bracing for Cyclone Murasu, which is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra coast late Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the severe cyclonic storm to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3.

Murasu, meaning “war drum”, is expected to bring sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph during landfall.

The approaching storm comes less than a week after Cyclone Arnab claimed six lives and damaged several houses and crops.

State authorities have begun evacuating residents from vulnerable coastal areas. Around 2,000 people have already been relocated, with plans to evacuate approximately 30,000, Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, told Reuters.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to remain fully prepared for relief and rescue operations.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall across most parts of Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated places on November 4.

Tamil Nadu, Telangana, south Chhattisgarh and south Odisha are also likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at many places on November 2, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast at isolated locations.

In Chennai, schools will remain closed on Monday after the IMD issued an orange alert, warning of very heavy rainfall ranging from 11 to 20 cm.