Cyclone Murasu Nears Andhra Coast, Ports Hoist Warning Signals
Cyclonic Storm Murasu is moving across the west-central Bay of Bengal towards the coast of Andhra Pradesh, on India’s east coast. On the evening of 1 November, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed it about 480 km east-south-east of Chennai and 550 km east-south-east of Nellore. The storm comes only days after Cyclone Arnab disrupted operations at several east coast ports.
IMD expects Murasu to strengthen into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by the morning of 2 November. It is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur between about 11:30 pm on 2 November and 4:00 am on 3 November (IST). Sustained winds of 100–110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h, are forecast at landfall. Along the north and south Andhra coasts, squally winds of 20–25 knots with gusts to 30 knots are expected, and the sea is likely to be rough, becoming very rough during thunderstorms, with very poor visibility at times.
Distant Warning Signal No. II has been hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, Machilipatnam and Nizampatnam. Krishnapatnam has raised Local Cautionary Signal No. III, and informatory messages have gone to Kalingapatnam, Bheemunipatnam and Vadarevu.
Across the bay, Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology issued a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas. It advised naval and fishing craft not to enter deep-sea areas between latitudes 10°N and 15°N and longitudes 80°E and 90°E, and told vessels already there to move to safer waters.
Ships approaching or working at Andhra Pradesh ports may face suspended cargo and pilotage operations over the next two days. Masters and crews in the Bay of Bengal are expected to follow the latest port signals, IMD bulletins and navigational warnings, secure deck cargo and moorings early, and keep well clear of the storm’s track.
