Andhra Pradesh remained on high alert on November 3 as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu continued to affect the coastal region, bringing intense rainfall, strong winds and the threat of flash floods. Bapatla district experienced particularly heavy downpours, with several areas recording more than 150 mm of rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued flash flood warnings for parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh as the storm continued to move north-northwestwards. Although it was expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon, it remained severe as of 3 p.m., with gale force winds of 95–105 kmph along the coast.
Bapatla Records Over 180 mm of Rainfall
Rainfall remained intense in Bapatla even as conditions began easing in neighbouring Prakasam district. Between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Konanki recorded 182.25 mm of rainfall, while Martur received 174.75 mm.
Heavy rainfall was also reported in Palnadu district, where Edlapadu recorded 147.45 mm and Chilakaluripeta received 147.13 mm during the same period.
Six Districts Warned of Further Heavy Rain
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority warned that very heavy rainfall was likely in Polavaram, Kakinada, NTR, Krishna, Bapatla and Palnadu districts as the storm had yet to weaken.
The IMD also issued flash flood alerts for Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu and Prakasam, citing a moderate risk associated with the storm and its impact on coastal areas.
Cyclone Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole, around Kothapatnam in Prakasam district and Chinnaganjam in Bapatla district, between 3:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. It subsequently moved north-northwestwards at around 8 kmph.
At 1 p.m., the system was located approximately 30 km north-northeast of Ongole and 40 km southwest of Bapatla, with Vijayawada and Machilipatnam also within its broader area of influence.
With heavy rainfall and strong winds continuing, coastal districts remained vulnerable to flooding and weather related disruption.