Cyclone Update / Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, Andhra Pradesh on alert

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: Cyclone Murasu has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, raising concerns along the Andhra Pradesh coast. Moving northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph, the cyclone is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coastline between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3.

The cyclonic system has intensified significantly over the past six hours, developing into a severe cyclonic storm. According to the latest weather update, Cyclone Murasu has been moving in a northwesterly direction at approximately 20 kilometres per hour.

The storm's increasing intensity and movement towards the Indian coastline have brought several coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh into focus.

The severe cyclonic storm is currently located at the following distances from major cities:

• Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 260 km east-northeast.
• Nellore, Andhra Pradesh – 290 km east-southeast.
• Kavali, Andhra Pradesh – 310 km east-southeast.
• Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh – 320 km south-southeast.
• Ongole, Andhra Pradesh – 330 km southeast.
• Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – 470 km south.

Cyclone Murasu is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight on November 2 and the early morning of November 3.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD), has forecast light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning at isolated places across 10 districts of Odisha, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. The IMD has warned that isolated areas in these districts may experience thunderstorms and lightning during the next three hours.