The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed three teams from its 4th Battalion in Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh to carry out rescue and relief operations as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approaches the state’s coast.
According to the NDRF, the teams stationed at Nagarikuppam near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district have been dispatched to Andhra Pradesh to support disaster response operations.
The deployment comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that Cyclone Murasu is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the cyclonic storm intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal.
The system moved northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph during the preceding six hours and was centred over the region at 2.30 am IST on November 2.
The storm was located near latitude 13.6°N and longitude 82.5°E, approximately 260 km east-northeast of Chennai, 290 km east-southeast of Nellore, 320 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 310 km east-southeast of Kavali, 330 km southeast of Ongole and 470 km south of Visakhapatnam.
The IMD said the storm is expected to continue moving northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3.
At the time of landfall, the severe cyclonic storm is likely to bring sustained winds of 100–110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, the weather agency said.
Meanwhile, the Rayagada district administration in Odisha has intensified preparations for the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu, deploying emergency response teams and heavy machinery at strategic locations.
Additional District Magistrate (General) Ravindranath Kahanra said the district administration held a virtual emergency review meeting on Sunday, chaired by the District Collector, to assess preparedness for the cyclone and anticipated heavy rainfall.
The meeting reviewed early warning systems, emergency services, rescue and relief operations, shelter arrangements and the availability of essential equipment.
“In preparation for Cyclone Murasu, the Rayagada District Collector held a virtual emergency meeting to discuss safety measures and readiness. Key topics included the district’s preparedness, early warning systems, emergency services, and shelter preparations,” Kahanra said.
Citing reports from the IMD and the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), he said the district was under a yellow warning until November 2, followed by an orange warning for November 3 and 4.
As part of the preparedness measures, the administration has deployed teams from all 11 fire stations and stationed JCBs, excavators and Hydra cranes at Gumma Ghati and Mukundpur Ghati to ensure the immediate clearance of National Highway 326 in the event of road blockages.
“The administration has deployed fire station teams and machinery for road clearance, while BDOs, Tahsildars and concerned officials have been instructed to remain present with all equipment and machinery to prepare for any type of eventuality,” Kahanra said.
(ANI Inputs)
