Kolkata, 02 November (H.S.) : Even as cyclonic storm 'Murasu' continues to intensify in the Bay of Bengal, it is unlikely to have any significant impact on West Bengal. However, the system has triggered high alerts across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, where coastal regions are bracing for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds. Anticipating the potential threat, the respective state administrations have ramped up their disaster preparedness, relief, and rescue operations.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is currently moving in a west-northwestward direction and is projected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, between Nellore and Narsapuram, by late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The system is expected to intensify further before crossing the coast, threatening to disrupt normal life with severe squalls and torrential downpours in the coastal belts. Conversely, West Bengal may only experience overcast skies in certain districts, with the weather department issuing no rain warnings for Kolkata and its adjoining areas.

In view of the impending severe weather, the Andhra Pradesh administration has sounded a high alert across its coastal districts. Three teams from the 4th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been mobilized from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh for emergency relief and rescue operations, while local fire and rescue teams remain on standby. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is holding continuous review meetings to monitor the state's disaster management preparedness.

The peripheral impact of the approaching storm has already begun battering coastal Andhra Pradesh with heavy rains and strong winds since Monday afternoon, severely disrupting air traffic. A total of 21 flights have been cancelled, including 11 from Chennai and 10 from Vijayawada, while IndiGo has temporarily suspended its flight operations in Visakhapatnam. Taking precautionary measures, authorities have declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur, advising residents to adhere to weather warnings and avoid venturing out unnecessarily.

Furthermore, Cyclone Murasu is expected to impact the coastal regions of Odisha, where the weather department has issued warnings of heavy rain and strong winds over the next 48 hours, with Puri likely to witness light to moderate rainfall. Given the rough sea conditions and high waves, fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea until November 4. Meteorological departments and state administrations continue to track the cyclone's trajectory, speed, and intensity around the clock to mitigate potential damage post-landfall.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh