Cyclone Murasu hurtles towards Andhra; evacuations in Odisha, NDRF on standby

Cyclone Murasu intensified over the Bay of Bengal and moved towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Odisha placed southern districts on high alert amid forecasts of heavy rain and strong winds.The Odisha government has stepped up preparedness in its southern districts, which are likely to receive heavy rainfall and experience strong winds. (Credits: PTI)Bhubaneshwar,Nov 1, 2026 14:56 ISTCyclone Murasu intensified over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Sunday, November 1, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a cyclone alert for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts. The storm is expected to strengthen further into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between late November 2 and the early hours of November 3.In its latest bulletin issued at 11.30 am on Sunday, the IMD said the cyclonic storm was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph. (Credits: X/IMD) It was centred over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, around 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 660 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 630 km east-southeast of Nellore.The weather department said Murasu is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal around the morning of November 2. It is then expected to move northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. (Credits: X/IMD) The IMD has forecast wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, when the system crosses the coast.The expected crossing window is between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3. (Credits: X/IMD) ODISHA PLACES SOUTHERN DISTRICTS ON HIGH ALERTWith the cyclone expected to approach the Andhra Pradesh coast, the Odisha government has stepped up preparedness in its southern districts, which are likely to receive heavy rainfall and experience strong winds.Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government had announced a high alert in the southern region. Authorities have been directed to evacuate people from low-lying areas and vulnerable hilly terrain to safer locations.The state administration is also carrying out relief and rescue operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, which were affected by heavy rain and flooding following Cyclone Arnab's impact on October 28.Pujari held a preparatory meeting on Saturday to review arrangements for the approaching cyclone and the possibility of flooding and waterlogging. The Ganjam district administration has directed officials to ensure adequate stocks of food, drinking water and other essential supplies in vulnerable areas.According to an official statement, block development officers (BDOs) and tehsildars have been instructed to prepare detailed micro-plans and ensure that people living in high-risk locations are moved to safe shelters by Sunday night.The administration has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea between November 2 and November 4. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been placed on standby in vulnerable areas.HEAVY RAIN, STRONG WINDS FORECAST IN SOUTHERN ODISHAThe IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at several places in southern Odisha, with heavy rainfall likely at isolated locations on November 3 and 4.The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued rainfall warnings for southern Odisha districts for November 2 and 3, forecasting precipitation ranging from 7 cm to 20 cm in some areas.Wind speeds in the region are expected to reach 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, from the evening of November 2. These could increase to 50-60 kmph, with gusts reaching 70 kmph, on November 3 before gradually weakening to 40-50 kmph by the afternoon of November 4.The administration is monitoring the situation and has directed district officials to remain prepared for possible flooding, waterlogging and disruptions caused by heavy rain and strong winds.- Ends