India on High Alert: Second Cyclone 'Murasu' Threatens Andhra Pradesh Coast Amidst Recovery Efforts

Authorities in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh have initiated the evacuation of residents from low-lying coastal areas as Cyclone Murasu approaches, targeting a region still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating cyclone last week. As of Monday, approximately 2,000 people have been evacuated, with plans to relocate an additional 30,000 individuals, according to Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, who spoke to Reuters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the cyclone is likely to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, between 11:30 PM on Monday and 4:00 AM on Tuesday. The IMD stated that the cyclone is expected to cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm, bringing wind speeds of 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, with gusts potentially reaching 120 km/h. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to prepare for the cyclone, estimating that between 6,000 and 8,000 electrical poles could be damaged, posing a significant risk to the power supply. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan noted on X that the cyclone is anticipated to severely impact the districts of Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, and Krishna. Six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams have been pre-deployed, Jain confirmed, as reported by IANS. Three of the NDRF teams were dispatched from the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, according to ANI. In Nellore district, Collector Himanshu Shukla has advised fishermen against venturing out to sea and has ordered officials in coastal regions to remain at their posts. Schools across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha have been closed in anticipation of continued rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh until Wednesday, even as the storm is projected to weaken. Cyclone Murasu is expected to be less intense than Cyclone Arnab, which hit the same coastline last Wednesday, resulting in six fatalities and the destruction of numerous homes and crops.