Second storm hits India coast in one week

Cyclone Murasu struck the eastern coast of India early Tuesday morning, bringing high winds and heavy rain to the state of Andhra Pradesh. The storm made landfall near Ongole in Prakasam district at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time. This event marks the second severe cyclone to impact the region within seven days, following the arrival of Cyclone Arnab.

The India Meteorological Department confirmed the storm's path and warned that intense rainfall would persist across multiple districts throughout the day. The agency identified Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu as the primary areas for impact. Heavy rain also reached the states of Puducherry and Odisha.

Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, reported that no deaths or injuries had been recorded at the time of his update. He noted that the storm uprooted trees and knocked over electricity poles. Authorities began moving residents to safety on Monday. The plan covers the relocation of approximately 30,000 people across the state.

The Press Trust of India reported extensive damage in Prakasam and Bapatla districts. The agency stated that thousands of trees were felled and hundreds of power poles were damaged. Fishing boats were wrecked in the coastal areas. Standing crops sustained damage, and many low-lying sections remained underwater after the initial gusts.

Krishnamma, a fisherman from Kothapatnam in Prakasam district, described the event to the Press Trust of India. "This is the most dangerous cyclone we have witnessed in the last 14 years," he said. He reported that roughly 400 families from his village were relocated before the storm arrived.

Home Minister Amit Shah communicated with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu regarding the situation. Shah stated that the Central Government would provide all forms of assistance and support. He noted that national and state disaster response teams were already deployed on the ground. The storm formed over the Bay of Bengal, a water body known for generating frequent storms along India's eastern seaboard.

The India Meteorological Department forecast that the storm would bring continued heavy rain to Tamil Nadu. The agency monitored the movement of the system as it moved inland. Local officials focused on clearing debris and restoring power lines in the affected districts.