Cyclone Murasu: Heavy rain and power cuts dampen spirit of Deepavali

File photo shows children celebrating Deepavali by bursting crackers in Nellore. This year Cyclone Murasu played spoilsport on Deepavali celebrations across Nellore., Prakasam and Markapuram districts. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Cyclone Murasu has played spoilsport on Deepavali celebrations across SPSR Nellore, Prakasam and Markapuram districts, on Sunday (November 8, 2026). Heavy downpour and power cuts have dampened the festival spirit among everyone, right from kids to elderly people and farmers to retail vendors.Generally, households purchase crackers and diyas (earthenware lamps) on Deepavali morning or a day ahead. Due to continuous rains during the last couple of days, many of them remained indoors and those, who came out, unable to find the good quality products.Madan Mohan, an intermediate student from Dhanalakshmipuram in Nellore, said, “The rains have disrupted our plans of fireworks this year. Neither we could buy crackers, nor play with whatever we had kept aside last year.”The situation was much horrible in Prakasam district. The people faced problems in commuting because of the inundated roads. The elderly persons couldn’t come out of their homes for medicines and other basic needs. The power cuts led to mosquito menace at homes.As the heavy rains lashed several parts of the district, the electricity lines, poles, conductors and distribution transformers have extensively damaged. Despite of the swift restoration works in progress, the power supply was not yet rectified in the rural areas by Monday (November 9, 2026) evening.Ramakrishna, a retired employee in Ammanabrolu village of Naguluppalapadu mandal, said that he was unable to use either electric vehicle or even a mobile phone. He went to a petrol bunk, which was running with a generator, to charge his phone.In some villages, the petrol bunks were also not operational due to lack of power. The local people complained that there was no power supply to their houses for the past one week. They revealed that they were using kerosene lamps during night times.The farmers were the most affected people in the district owing to the impact of the cyclone. The devastating wind and rains have flattened chilli and paddy crops to the ground in Purumetla village of Mundlamuru mandal, and Chinna Kothapalli village of Addanki mandal. Published - November 10, 2026 10:30 am IST