The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Cyclone Murusu: 19 flights cancelled, NDRF on standby as coastal states brace for severe storm - top deve
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is set to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall and winds of up to 120 kmph. The approaching cyclone has put several coastal states on alert, disrupted flight operations and triggered evacuation and relief measures.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is approaching the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected near Ongole in the early hours of Tuesday and wind speeds forecast at 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, according to the IMD.
In Andhra Pradesh, at least 19 domestic flights were canceled as the cyclone neared the coast, including 10 IndiGo flights and two Air India Express flights at Vijayawada airport, along with cancellations at Visakhapatnam and Tirupati airports.
Tamil Nadu has deployed three NDRF teams and additional electricity department personnel to assist Andhra Pradesh, while Karnataka announced support of skilled power personnel and equipment to help restore infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab’s aftermath.
Chennai and surrounding districts experienced heavy rainfall, prompting school closures in Chennai as authorities warned of very heavy rainfall in the region, with rain expected to ease only after the cyclone crosses the coast.
Odisha stepped up evacuation efforts and put more than 300 rescue teams on standby, with district collectors alerted and operations coordinated by disaster management authorities amid concerns over further weather impacts.