New Delhi: Cyclone 'Murasu' that arose in the Bay of Bengal has now taken a very dangerous form. Its landfall process has started on the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Due to the impact of the storm, there is heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. In view of the strong winds and high waves rising in the sea, an alert has been issued in many districts. Railways and air services have also been affected. According to the Meteorological Department, the cyclone is about 20 kilometers away from Ongole in the west-central Bay of Bengal near the coast of South Andhra Pradesh.
Its landfall process is likely to continue between Nellore and Narasapur. During this period, the wind speed can be 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, while in strong gusts it can reach up to 120 kilometers per hour. Heavy rain is expected in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 12 hours. Waves 1 to 1.5 meters higher than normal sea level may arise, due to which there is a danger of flooding in low-lying areas. Rain has started with strong winds on Kothapatnam beach. It is also raining continuously in Puducherry since midnight.
8 trains and 19 flights canceled
Rail and air traffic has been affected due to the cyclone. East Coast Railway has canceled eight trains on November 3 and 4. These include trains in both directions including Howrah-Kantabanji, Rourkela-Jagdalpur, Rourkela-Puri and Bhubaneswar-Rourkela. Passengers have been advised to check the train status before reaching the station. At the same time, a total of 19 domestic flights have been canceled from Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports. 12 flights in Vijayawada, four in Visakhapatnam and three in Tirupati were affected. Some flights have also been canceled at Chennai Airport.
1.60 lakh people evacuated safely in Odisha
In view of the threat of the cyclone, the Odisha government has evacuated more than 1.60 lakh people from five southern districts to safe places. There is a warning of heavy rain in Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Puri. The administration has prepared 1,139 relief camps, where there are arrangements to accommodate 3.33 lakh people. More than 300 rescue teams from NDRF, ODRAF and fire departments have been deployed in the state. Tamil Nadu has sent three teams of NDRF and 25 teams of electricity department to help Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka has also dispatched 500 electricians and essential machines.
Schools closed in many districts including Chennai
The cyclone has caused heavy rains in many districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram. There is waterlogging in many areas of Chennai and schools and colleges have been closed. Educational institutions have also been kept closed at many places in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the officials to remain alert and prepare for relief operations. The administration is continuously monitoring the situation in the east coast states.