Cyclonic Storm Murasu Forms Over Bay of Bengal, Threatens Andhra Coast
Weather officials report that the system has intensified and is heading northwest toward the southern coast.
A weather system over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm named Murasu, which translates to war drum, moving west-northwest toward the coast at a speed of 23 kilometers per hour. The system is expected to continue gaining strength as it approaches land.
According to weather reports, the storm was located hundreds of kilometers away from several major coastal areas, including Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Ongole. Officials from disaster management agencies have warned that the system is projected to strengthen further into a severe cyclonic storm.
Authorities anticipate that the severe storm will make landfall between Nellore and Narasapuram along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh. During the crossing, forecasters predict severe winds reaching speeds of 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, with occasional gusts up to 120 kilometers per hour, alongside rough sea conditions.
In response to the approaching threat, district administrations in coastal regions have been placed on high alert. Officials have strictly prohibited fishermen from venturing out into the sea until conditions improve.
Neighboring Tamil Nadu is also experiencing the severe weather impacts of the storm system. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for several districts, including Thiruvallur and Chennai, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Precautionary weather advisories remain active across multiple areas as rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to persist in northern Tamil Nadu and parts of the Western Ghats districts over the coming days. Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas are advised to stay updated on official safety bulletins.
Emergency response teams and local authorities continue to monitor the trajectory of the storm closely to coordinate disaster preparedness and relief measures ahead of its anticipated landfall.