The severe cyclonic storm that formed in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’. As it is currently moving rapidly towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe warnings for the coastal areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu. Officials have clarified that there is a risk of heavy to very heavy rains and gusty winds due to the impact of the storm.
‘Murasu’ approaching the coast.. Fast-moving monster winds
At 11:30 am on Sunday, the storm was centered in the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal. It is 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 630 km from Nellore, 640 km from Machilipatnam, and 660 km from Visakhapatnam. It has been moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph for the last six hours.
On November 2, it will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm with a speed of 120 kmph
According to IMD estimates, the storm ‘Murasu’ is expected to intensify further in the next 24 hours and turn into a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ by the morning of November 2. It will then move northwestwards and hit the south Andhra Pradesh coast between 11:30 pm and 4:00 am on November 2. There is a high chance of it crossing the coast, especially between Nellore and Narsapuram. Experts warn that there is a risk of fierce winds of 100 to 110 kmph, with a maximum speed of 120 kmph, by the time it crosses the coast.
High alert in coastal districts.. Fishermen instructed not to go fishing
In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Andhra Pradesh government has put the coastal district machinery on high alert. In view of the dangerous conditions, emergency instructions have been issued that no fishermen should go fishing in the sea and those already in the sea should immediately return to the nearest shores.
