Cyclone Murasu batters coastal AP

Amaravati: Cyclone Murasu, which crossed the coast near Kothapatnam close to Ongole, brought heavy rain and gale-force winds to several parts of Andhra Pradesh, disrupting power supply, damaging crops and inundating roads. The severe cyclonic storm, identified in the bulletin as Michaung (Murasu), was moving at around 6 kmph on Tuesday evening and was expected to gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm and subsequently a deep depression.

According to Prakhar Jain, managing director of the State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the storm was about 40 km from Bapatla, 50 km from Ongole, 90 km from Vijayawada, 110 km from Kavali and 120 km from Machilipatnam. Strong winds were expected to subside from Tuesday night, but people were advised to remain indoors and maintain vigilance.

Heavy rainfall was forecast in parts of Polavaram, Kakinada, NTR, Krishna, Bapatla and Palnadu districts. Isolated moderate rainfall was expected in Manyam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru, Nellore, Kadapa and Nandyal districts. Jain also warned of heavy rain in isolated areas of Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla, with moderate showers in parts of other districts.

The combined Guntur and Prakasam districts witnessed severe weather, with knee-deep floodwater inundating major roads. In Ongole, the impact was felt from midnight, while Prathipadu, Kakumanu and Pedanandipadu mandals in Guntur district were also affected. At Varagali village in Pedanandipadu mandal, gale-force winds uprooted electricity poles, which fell on two-wheelers, leaving the area without power. Fallen trees and poles disrupted electricity supply in several locations. Waterlogging on the Repalle-Nizampatnam main road affected vehicular movement, while heavy rain and strong winds prevented residents from venturing outdoors. The cyclone severely damaged the electricity distribution network under APCPDCL, particularly in Prakasam and Bapatla districts. A total of 2,750 electricity poles were damaged, including 270 in the 33 KV network, 1,530 in the 11 KV network and 950 in the low-tension network. Special teams have been deployed to restore power supply in affected areas. Preliminary estimates indicate damage to 30,661 hectares of paddy, 21,474 hectares of cotton and 605 hectares of maize, taking the affected crop area to 52,740 hectares. Officials are continuously monitoring water levels in irrigation tanks, reservoirs and downstream areas. Medical teams and ambulances under the 108, 102 and 104 services have been deployed in affected regions. The disaster management authority advised people not to cross overflowing streams or rivulets and urged residents in low-lying areas to remain alert to flash-flood risks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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