India evacuates thousands as Cyclone Murasu threatens coast still recovering from Arnab
India has begun evacuating residents along its eastern coast as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approaches Andhra Pradesh, threatening heavy rainfall, damaging winds and coastal flooding less than a week after Cyclone Arnab killed at least six people.
- India planned to evacuate approximately 30,000 people as Cyclone Murasu approached Andhra Pradesh.
- Murasu was forecast to bring winds of up to 110kph and coastal storm surges reaching 1.5 metres.
- The preparations come less than a week after Cyclone Arnab killed at least six people in Andhra Pradesh.
Authorities in India began evacuating residents along the eastern coast on Monday, 2 November, as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approached a region still recovering from Cyclone Arnab, which killed at least six people in Andhra Pradesh last week.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that Murasu would cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, from around midnight on Monday into the early hours of Tuesday, 3 November.
The storm was expected to bring sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 120kph, according to the IMD's coastal weather bulletin issued on Monday morning.
Around 2,000 people had been evacuated by Monday, with the operation continuing, Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), told Reuters. Authorities were planning to move about 30,000 people to safer locations.
Murasu formed over the Bay of Bengal and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm as it moved towards India's south-eastern coast. The IMD placed Andhra Pradesh and adjoining parts of northern Tamil Nadu under cyclone warnings.
Andhra Pradesh prepares for landfall
The IMD said Murasu was about 200 kilometres east-north-east of Chennai and 210 kilometres east-south-east of Nellore at 5.30am Indian Standard Time on Monday.
It forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms along the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with rough to very rough sea conditions in some areas.
The weather department also warned of a storm surge of about 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide, which could inundate low-lying areas along the south Andhra Pradesh coast during landfall.
The maximum surge was expected in Bapatla and parts of Krishna and Prakasam districts.
Port authorities raised warning signals at several locations, including Nizampatnam, Vadarevu, Machilipatnam and Krishnapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to remain prepared for relief and rescue operations ahead of the storm's arrival, according to a state government statement reported by local media.
The APSDMA warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region over the following three days. Its managing director, Prakhar Jain, said the forecast covered several districts, including Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Guntur and Krishna.
Tamil Nadu and Odisha on alert
Neighbouring Tamil Nadu was also preparing for heavy rainfall, although the IMD forecast that the cyclone's main landfall would be in Andhra Pradesh.
The state's Revenue Administration and Disaster Management Department directed district collectors to remain on high alert and follow disaster-management procedures.
Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram were among the districts warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Authorities were instructed to mobilise administrative resources, maintain vigilance and report emergencies to the State Emergency Operations Centre.
Odisha, which was affected by Cyclone Arnab last week, also stepped up preparations in its southern districts.
State Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government was prepared to deal with the approaching storm and urged residents not to panic, according to local media reports.
Authorities issued instructions to evacuate people from low-lying areas and hilly terrain before the storm's arrival.
Region still recovering from Cyclone Arnab
Murasu is approaching less than a week after Cyclone Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm.
At least six people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, according to a state government official cited by Reuters. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, damaged homes and crops, and disrupted electricity supplies across parts of the eastern coast.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu said at least 15,000 electricity poles had been damaged. Power had been restored in most districts by 29 October, although supplies remained disrupted in Konaseema and West Godavari, according to a statement from his office.
More than 180,000 people had been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before Arnab made landfall. Some schools were closed, while train and flight services were cancelled.
A cargo vessel carrying 20 crew members also ran aground off the Andhra Pradesh coast and remained stranded amid rough seas after the cyclone passed.
The Bay of Bengal is a major breeding ground for tropical cyclones that affect India's eastern coastline. Murasu is the second storm to threaten the region within a week, as emergency authorities continue recovery work following Arnab.
