Severe cyclone Murasu was 80 km from Nellore, 80 km from Kavali, 110 km from Ongole and 170 km from Machilipatnam on Monday night, the AP State Disaster Management Authority said. The IMD expects it to cross between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11:30 PM and 4 AM, with winds of 100–110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h.
What the government has done
- ₹37 crore to 17 districts: ₹3 crore each to six, ₹2 crore each to eight and ₹1 crore each to three, for evacuation, food, temporary shelter, medicine, fuel and transport.
- About 15,128 power poles in 12 districts are at risk; the Chief Minister has ordered supply restored within 48 hours wherever it fails.
- Red alert for Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla; fishermen told to stay off the sea for three days.
Travel and ports
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled: 12 at Vijayawada, 4 at Visakhapatnam (Bhogapuram) and 3 at Tirupati. The Vijayawada division of South Coast Railway cancelled 9 trains. Nizampatnam port and Vadarevu harbour hoisted Great Danger signal 10, Machilipatnam signal 9 and Krishnapatnam signal 8. The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre warned of a 1.5–2 metre storm surge in low-lying coastal areas.
Cyclone Arnab, which crossed near Narsapur on October 28, killed seven people and caused preliminary losses estimated at ₹4,600 crore. For help, call 112, or the Prakasam district toll-free line 1800 425 0277.
