Cyclone Murasu persists near Ongole and NDRF-SDRF deployed

Amidst the possibility of cyclonic storm Murasu reaching the coast of Andhra Pradesh, the state government has deployed six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and seven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams in the affected areas. According to the information provided by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), this cyclone is likely to make landfall near Ongole.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, two teams each have been deployed in Krishna, Bapatla, Guntur, Nellore and Prakasam districts. While one team each has been deployed in Markapuram, Palnadu and Tirupati districts. If needed, additional teams are also kept ready for deployment.

According to the 9 pm bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), at 5.30 pm the cyclonic storm was centered over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. According to IMD data, this system was located about 420 km east-southeast of Chennai, 490 km east-southeast of Nellore, 500 km southeast of Machilipatnam, 510 km east-southeast of Kavali, 530 km southeast of Ongole and 560 km south-south-east of Visakhapatnam.

IMD has stated that this system may intensify further into a 'severe cyclonic storm' in the early hours of November 2 in the west-central Bay of Bengal. In the early hours of November 3, this cyclone may make landfall near the coast of Ongole with wind speeds of 100 to 120 kmph. It is noteworthy that Murasu is the second cyclonic storm to affect Andhra Pradesh in less than a week.

On Monday, extremely heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in one or two locations of Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts. Keeping in view the threat of the cyclone, NTR and Guntur districts have declared a holiday for all government and private schools, junior colleges and degree colleges on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Citizens can report any cyclone-related issues to officials through the 'Mana Mitra WhatsApp Governance' service at 95523 00009. In addition, for emergency assistance and information, the Disaster Management Authority's toll-free numbers 112, 1070 and 18004250101 can be contacted.