Cyclone Gone, Rain Threat Remains: Murasu Weakens as Southern States Stay on Alert

Cyclone Murasu weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over eastern Telangana and adjoining coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday after battering the Andhra Pradesh coast, claiming at least two lives and causing extensive damage to crops, houses and infrastructure. Although the cyclone threat has subsided, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued rainfall across several southern and central Indian states.

According to the IMD, Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole in the early hours of November 3 as a severe cyclonic storm, bringing sustained winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. The system subsequently weakened into a cyclonic storm, a deep depression and finally a well-marked low-pressure area by Wednesday afternoon.

Andhra Pradesh suffered the maximum damage, with at least two people killed and 12,230 people shifted to rehabilitation centres. Preliminary estimates put the damage at around Rs 344 crore. Standing crops across 52,459 hectares were affected, while 312 houses were damaged. Hundreds of trees were uprooted in Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla districts, while several low-lying areas were inundated. Nearly 2,750 electricity poles were also reported damaged.

In Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam, Bapatla, Nellore, Krishna, Nandyal, Guntur, NTR and Eluru are among the affected districts. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, with possible flash flooding in vulnerable catchments, including the Godavari districts. Strong winds and thunderstorms may also disrupt normal activities.

In Telangana, the system brought heavy rainfall, particularly in Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam, which recorded 6.5 cm and 5.2 cm of rainfall respectively on Tuesday. Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Suryapet, Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy are among the other districts covered by weather alerts during the system's movement inland. Although rainfall intensity is expected to ease, isolated heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds remain possible on Wednesday, with waterlogging and localised flooding concerns in eastern districts.

The impact of Murasu is also being felt in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Karnataka. The IMD has forecast continued rainfall in these regions, with Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala likely to receive fairly widespread to widespread showers between November 5 and 8. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of south interior Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

With Murasu losing its cyclone strength, the immediate concern has shifted from destructive winds to heavy rainfall, localised flooding, waterlogging and agricultural losses. Authorities in affected districts are continuing relief and restoration operations, while residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to follow weather warnings.