Two cyclones in a week: Battered by Arnab, Andhra and Odisha brace for Murasu on Nov 3

Within a week of being battered by severe cyclone Arnab, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are in the path of another cyclone.

Cyclone Murasu, which has formed over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to cross the Andhra coast between Nellore and Narsapur on the morning of Tuesday (November 3), bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to several parts of the east coast. Named by India, Murasu means “war drum” in Tamil.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, as the storm makes landfall. The system is expected to intensify further before crossing the coast.

Arnab toll touches 5 in Odisha, 11 missing

The forecast has raised concerns over the impact of another storm on the two states, which are now bracing for fresh spells of heavy rain and strong winds.

Both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Arnab, which left five persons dead in Odisha. One body was recovered on Sunday, while a search operation was underway to trace 11 missing people in a southern Odisha village hit by a landslide due to the rain.

Home to around 26 people, the hilltop Gidipabali village on the border of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts has disappeared from the map as an enormous amount of sludge and debris cascaded down the hills and levelled houses earlier this week. A total of 177 personnel of the NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Service, Special Operation Group, railways, and the Indian Navy have been sifting through mud and stones in search of the missing people in Gidipabali.

Odisha has reported 10 landslides due to incessant rain brought in by the cyclone that made landfall in Andhra on October 28. With Murasu expected to affect the east coast within days, authorities in the two states have stepped up preparedness to minimise the impact on vulnerable communities.

Andhra under red alert

The IMD has issued a red alert for Monday (November 2) in five Andhra Pradesh districts — Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore — in view of the approaching cyclone. On Tuesday, the red alert will cover Alluri Sitarama Raju and Eluru districts.

Also read: Odisha: 3 killed in landslide as Cyclone Arnab triggers floods

Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and squally weather are expected across parts of the state as the system approaches and crosses the coast. Yanam, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, is also likely to experience adverse weather.

Andhra’s power utilities have been directed to step up cyclone preparedness, protect critical electricity infrastructure and ensure swift restoration of supply in the event of disruptions.

Safety and power in top priority

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand told news agency PTI the approaching weather system was likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by November 2 and cross the coast near Bapatla on the morning of November 3.

“Power utilities have been directed to take all precautionary measures to protect electricity infrastructure and remain fully prepared to undertake restoration works on a war footing wherever supply is disrupted,” Vijayanand said in a press release.

Officials informed him that moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated instances of very heavy rainfall, was likely over the south and central coastal districts on November 2. Strong winds and heavy rainfall could damage electricity poles and other power infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

Vijayanand directed the utilities to maintain adequate stocks of essential materials, including electricity poles, conductors and transformers, and strategically position sufficient manpower, vehicles and machinery in vulnerable areas.

He said public safety and continuity of electricity supply should remain the foremost priorities and directed officials to restore power at the earliest wherever interruptions occur.

Odisha steps up preparedness

The Odisha government has stepped up precautionary measures in the state's southern districts, which are likely to receive heavy rainfall under the influence of the cyclone.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said a high alert had been sounded in the southern region. Authorities have also ordered the evacuation of people from low-lying areas and hilly terrain.

Also read: Cyclone Arnab: 3 dead in Andhra, flash flood warning for 13 districts

Manorama Mohanty, director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, said Odisha would begin receiving rainfall from November 2, with its intensity likely to increase on November 3 and 4.

Alerts for neighbouring states

Telangana is also likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and squally weather as the system moves inland after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The IMD has advised people in the affected regions to follow official weather bulletins and instructions issued by local administrations. Residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to take precautions and remain alert to evacuation advisories.

(With agency inputs)