Another cyclone Murasu threat looms over AP
In Short
CM reviews preparedness, puts officials on alert
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Cyclone Murasu
Amaravati: With the threat of another cyclone, named Murasu, looming over Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday held a high-level review with senior officials and directed the entire administrative machinery to remain fully prepared to tackle the possible impacts and undertake relief and rescue operations.
The Chief Minister reviewed the likely impacts of the cyclone on the state, expected rainfall and wind intensity, reservoir management, preparedness of various departments and the advance measures to be taken by them. He also announced the cancellation of his visit to Delhi scheduled for Monday in view of the impending cyclone.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the prevailing depression was likely to intensify into a deep depression and subsequently develop into a cyclone. It is expected 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.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 2 and 3. The IMD has issued a red alert for Monday in five districts — Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore — where extremely heavy rainfall is likely.
Winds with speeds of 100–110 kmph are likely at the time of landfall. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely in 20 mandals, including nine in Eluru district, five each in Krishna and NTR districts and one in Bapatla district.
Officials projected the average rainfall on November 3 at around 179 mm in Eluru, 163 mm in Krishna, 161 mm in NTR, 147 mm in West Godavari, 119 mm in Guntur and 104 mm in Bapatla districts.
The officials warned that Budameru could witness an inflow of around 32,500 cusecs on November 3 due to heavy rainfall. Significant flood inflows were also expected in Errakalva, Gonelavagu, Jalleru, and Pampa reservoirs.
Strong winds could damage an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 electricity poles across 12 districts. The Chief Minister directed the Energy Department to arrange the required manpower, equipment, and other resources in advance.
The Chief Minster instructed officials to mobilise additional personnel and materials from other regions and position them in vulnerable areas before the cyclone hits. He stressed the need for a clear action plan specifying the time required to restore electricity in areas where power poles might be toppled. Officials should also communicate the expected restoration timelines to the public. Naidu directed officials to issue cyclone situation bulletins once every four hours. He asked telecom operators to take advance measures to prevent disruptions in mobile networks, particularly in areas likely to experience severe weather conditions.
Referring to the experience during Cyclone Arnab, the Chief Minister observed that telecom companies should have taken stronger precautionary measures. He instructed them to ensure that similar communication disruptions did not recur during the approaching cyclone.
During the meeting, officials also briefed the Chief Minister on the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the progress of ongoing relief and restoration operations. Naidu reviewed the restoration of electricity in cyclone-affected areas. Officials assured him that power supply would be restored in all affected areas by Sunday night.
