Severe Cyclone Murasu: Landfall to begin in A.P. around 2-3 a.m.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an alert that Cyclone Murasu will move inland over the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of the morning, with the most likely time of landfall between two and three a.m. The system has intensified over the Bay of Bengal, bringing sustained winds that exceed 120 km per hour and a rapid increase in cloud cover. Meteorologists note that the cyclone follows a typical pattern for the region during the post‑monsoon season, when warm sea temperatures fuel storm development.

Local authorities have identified a list of mandals that are likely to receive very heavy rainfall as the cyclone moves inland. The areas include Ongole Urban, Naguluppalapadu, Vetapalem, Tangutur, Singarayakonda, Ulavapadu, Maddipadu, Gudluru, Zarugumilli, Santhanuthalapadu and Kandukur. Forecast models suggest that some locations could see more than 200 millimetres of rain within a short period, raising the risk of flash flooding and landslides on low‑lying roads and agricultural fields. Emergency services have been placed on standby to respond to any incidents that may arise from sudden water surges.

The state government has activated disaster response teams and instructed district officials to ensure that evacuation shelters are ready and stocked with essential supplies. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, secure loose objects, and keep mobile phones charged for emergency alerts. Power utilities are preparing to restore electricity quickly if outages occur, while health officials are monitoring the situation to prevent water‑borne diseases. The early warning and coordinated response aim to reduce loss of life and property, a priority for a region that has experienced severe storms in recent years.