Cyclone Murasu Claims Two Lives, Causes Extensive Damage Across Andhra Pradesh

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu has claimed at least two lives and caused extensive damage to crops, homes, and power infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh, as reported by the Press Trust of India. The storm made landfall early on Tuesday, marking the second cyclone to hit the state within a week. Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur, close to Ongole, between 3:30 am and 5:30 am on Tuesday, with winds reaching speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph.

The cyclone submerged standing crops in 15 districts, with Krishna, Bapatla, and Nandyala being among the worst-affected. Preliminary estimates from Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain indicate losses of at least Rs 344 crore, affecting crops across 52,459 hectares. Additionally, 312 houses were affected, thousands of trees uprooted, and 2,750 electricity poles damaged. Prakasam and Bapatla districts reported extensive damage to transmission lines, substations, and key power distribution equipment. Some fishing boats were also wrecked in Prakasam district, and vehicles were stranded on national highways due to heavy rain, gusty winds, and poor visibility.

In response to the devastation, 12,230 people were moved to cyclone shelters. The Fire Department deployed 185 teams for tree removal and floodwater drainage, supported by 11 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 13 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams. The state government established 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets. Proactive measures included shifting 3,066 pregnant women and 1,008 nursing mothers to hospitals. Furthermore, 725 medical teams were dispatched to 13 districts, and 362 ambulances were placed on standby. Officials also monitored 814 minor irrigation tanks, placing 776 on alert, across the 132 mandals affected in 15 districts.

The storm also severely impacted transportation, leading to the cancellation of more than 35 trains, diversion of 14, and rescheduling of eight, alongside numerous flight cancellations. Heavy to extremely heavy rain preceded landfall, with Bapatla recording 22 cm, Narasapur 20 cm, Karamchedu 16 cm, Addanki 15 cm, and Bhimavaram 13 cm between 8:30 am Monday and 8:30 am Tuesday. Intermittent moderate to heavy rain continued in several places after landfall. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu thanked the Centre for its "prompt support and solidarity" and acknowledged the timely assistance from Karnataka's D K Shivakumar. Murasu later weakened into a cyclonic storm and was expected to further weaken into a deep depression by midnight on November 3, with the Meteorological Department forecasting heavy to very heavy rain in isolated coastal Andhra Pradesh areas on Wednesday.

What to watch: Continued relief and restoration efforts across affected districts.

Editor's note: The draft is comprehensive, incorporating nearly all statistics, logistics, and specific details provided in the full text and summary.