{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Cyclone Murasu Makes Landfall Near Ongole, Over 1.6 Lakh Evacuated Across Odisha",
  "summary": "Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast packing wind gusts up to 120 kmph, prompting widespread evacuations in Odisha and emergency digital outreach.",
  "content": "Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the coastline of south Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Tuesday, unleashing torrential rain and fierce wind gusts that reached up to 120 kmph. The tempest knocked down numerous non-permanent houses and triggered widespread disruption across coastal settlements. As disaster mitigation teams work across Andhra Pradesh, neighboring Odisha has launched a massive precautionary evacuation drive to move hundreds of thousands of vulnerable residents to designated shelters.\n\nLandfall Near Ongole and Wind Trajectory\nAccording to observations from the India Meteorological Department, the storm system made landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, crossing close to Ongole between 3:30 am and 5:30 am on Tuesday. Sustained surface winds hovered between 100 and 110 kmph during the crossing phase, with peak gusts frequently hitting 120 kmph. By 5:30 am, the center of the severe cyclone remained located over south coastal Andhra Pradesh in close proximity to Ongole.\n\nAt that stage, the storm was positioned roughly 40 km southwest of Bapatla, 80 km north-northeast of Kavali, and 120 km west-southwest of Machilipatnam. Forecasters project that the system will advance in a north-northwest direction while undergoing progressive weakening. By Tuesday afternoon, it is likely to downgrade into a cyclonic storm carrying sustained speeds of 80 to 90 kmph with gusts up to 100 kmph. Later, by midnight, the weather system is expected to diminish further into a deep depression, bringing winds down to 55 to 65 kmph and gusts of around 75 kmph.\n\nSafety Protocols and Government Directives\nIn response to the deteriorating weather conditions along the coast, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu issued urgent instructions to district administrations and emergency personnel. He directed authorities to ensure that residents in cyclone-hit regions do not venture onto roads or out of safe structures during active weather. Emphasizing the prevention of casualties, the Chief Minister instructed officials to execute every precautionary measure necessary to curb structural and property damage.\n\nDigital Assistance via WhatsApp Governance\nTo deliver immediate relief and streamline grievance tracking for storm-affected populations, the Andhra Pradesh administration rolled out a dedicated channel through its 'Mana Mitra' WhatsApp governance platform. Managed by the Real Time Governance Society, this emergency mechanism enables citizens in impacted localities to report power outages, fallen trees, collapsed boundary walls, severe waterlogging, and related crises without procedural delays.\n\nResidents can initiate assistance by sending the word 'Hi' to the mobile contact 9552300009 on WhatsApp. After sending the greeting, users select the 'Services' option, navigate to 'Murasu Cyclone Issues', and click on 'Report Issue' to submit and confirm their emergency request. Authorities established this protocol to foster direct communication between affected families and relief control centers, thereby accelerating the deployment of ground recovery personnel.\n\nPrecautionary Relocation in Odisha Districts\nSimultaneously, the administration in Odisha has escalated precautionary measures across five vulnerable districts. Several of these communities were still recovering from sudden flash floods and intense rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab when Murasu emerged on the horizon. Recognizing the compounding hazard, the state government relocated a total of 1,60,021 people to secure cyclone shelters.\n\nThe proactive rescue drive spans Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal districts. Local authorities across these jurisdictions established an overall evacuation target of 3,33,752 individuals residing in low-lying and fragile habitations. Field teams are continuing relocation operations around the clock to meet the targeted threshold and safeguard vulnerable families from potential inundation and storm hazards.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe severe cyclone threatens to disrupt power grids, transportation links, and fragile housing across coastal belts.\n\n• In coastal Andhra Pradesh: Residents in impacted districts are strictly instructed to remain indoors and avoid stepping out onto roads. Citizens facing emergencies like fallen trees or power failure can seek help by messaging 9552300009 on WhatsApp.\n• In southern Odisha: Families residing in low-lying zones across Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal are being shifted to storm shelters. People in these vulnerable areas must adhere to local emergency alerts and cooperate with evacuation squads.\n• Across India for commuters: Highway movements and train transit along the eastern coastal corridors face potential cancellations and diversions. Travelers planning transit through these coastal regions should check operational bulletins and postpone discretionary trips.\n• For coastal fishermen and workers: Gale-force gusts reaching up to 120 kmph make coastal waters extremely dangerous. All fishing activity must remain halted until the deep depression weakens and sea conditions normalize.\n\nWhy this happened\nSevere cyclonic storm Murasu intensified over maritime waters before driving directly into the south Andhra Pradesh shoreline near Ongole.\n\n• Direct cause: The intensification of a low-pressure cyclonic vortex pushed gale winds and deep moisture toward the coastline. Landfall occurred between Nellore and Narsapur, unleashing peak gusts of up to 120 kmph.\n• Pre-existing conditions: Neighboring districts in Odisha were already grappling with flash floods and saturation caused by Cyclone Arnab. The arrival of Murasu compound existing ground vulnerabilities in these low-lying zones.\n• Projected dissipation: Upon moving further inland, frictional interaction with the terrain will systematically rob the system of energy. It is forecast to degrade into a standard cyclone by afternoon and weaken into a deep depression by midnight.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where and when did Cyclone Murasu make landfall?\nCyclone Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, between 3:30 am and 5:30 am on Tuesday.\n\n2. What were the wind speeds recorded during landfall?\nSustained wind speeds ranged between 100 and 110 kmph, with peak gusts touching up to 120 kmph during the landfall period.\n\n3. How can affected citizens in Andhra Pradesh request emergency assistance?\nResidents can message 'Hi' to 9552300009 on WhatsApp, select 'Services', and navigate to 'Murasu Cyclone Issues' to lodge complaints.\n\n4. Which districts in Odisha are undergoing evacuation operations?\nEvacuation drives are actively taking place across Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal districts.\n\n5. How many individuals have been relocated so far in Odisha, and what is the target?\nA total of 1,60,021 people have been evacuated so far, against an administrative target of relocating 3,33,752 individuals.\n\n6. What is the projected trajectory and intensity of the cyclone going forward?\nThe storm will weaken into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday afternoon and further degrade into a deep depression by midnight with winds of 55 to 65 kmph.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/chakravata-murasu-andhra-pradesh-ke-tata-se-takaraya-odisha-men-sava-lakha-se-adhika-loga-surakshita-nikale-gae-55451",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-03",
  "tags": [
    "Cyclone Murasu",
    "Andhra Pradesh",
    "Odisha",
    "IMD",
    "N Chandrababu Naidu",
    "Disaster Management",
    "Ongole"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "The severe cyclone threatens to disrupt power grids, transportation links, and fragile housing across coastal belts.\n\n• In coastal Andhra Pradesh: Residents in impacted districts are strictly instructed to remain indoors and avoid stepping out onto roads. Citizens facing emergencies like fallen trees or power failure can seek help by messaging 9552300009 on WhatsApp.\n• In southern Odisha: Families residing in low-lying zones across Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal are being shifted to storm shelters. People in these vulnerable areas must adhere to local emergency alerts and cooperate with evacuation squads.\n• Across India for commuters: Highway movements and train transit along the eastern coastal corridors face potential cancellations and diversions. Travelers planning transit through these coastal regions should check operational bulletins and postpone discretionary trips.\n• For coastal fishermen and workers: Gale-force gusts reaching up to 120 kmph make coastal waters extremely dangerous. All fishing activity must remain halted until the deep depression weakens and sea conditions normalize.",
  "whyItHappened": "Severe cyclonic storm Murasu intensified over maritime waters before driving directly into the south Andhra Pradesh shoreline near Ongole.\n\n• Direct cause: The intensification of a low-pressure cyclonic vortex pushed gale winds and deep moisture toward the coastline. Landfall occurred between Nellore and Narsapur, unleashing peak gusts of up to 120 kmph.\n• Pre-existing conditions: Neighboring districts in Odisha were already grappling with flash floods and saturation caused by Cyclone Arnab. The arrival of Murasu compound existing ground vulnerabilities in these low-lying zones.\n• Projected dissipation: Upon moving further inland, frictional interaction with the terrain will systematically rob the system of energy. It is forecast to degrade into a standard cyclone by afternoon and weaken into a deep depression by midnight.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "Where and when did Cyclone Murasu make landfall?",
      "answer": "Cyclone Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, between 3:30 am and 5:30 am on Tuesday."
    },
    {
      "question": "What were the wind speeds recorded during landfall?",
      "answer": "Sustained wind speeds ranged between 100 and 110 kmph, with peak gusts touching up to 120 kmph during the landfall period."
    },
    {
      "question": "How can affected citizens in Andhra Pradesh request emergency assistance?",
      "answer": "Residents can message 'Hi' to 9552300009 on WhatsApp, select 'Services', and navigate to 'Murasu Cyclone Issues' to lodge complaints."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which districts in Odisha are undergoing evacuation operations?",
      "answer": "Evacuation drives are actively taking place across Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Kandhamal districts."
    },
    {
      "question": "How many individuals have been relocated so far in Odisha, and what is the target?",
      "answer": "A total of 1,60,021 people have been evacuated so far, against an administrative target of relocating 3,33,752 individuals."
    },
    {
      "question": "What is the projected trajectory and intensity of the cyclone going forward?",
      "answer": "The storm will weaken into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday afternoon and further degrade into a deep depression by midnight with winds of 55 to 65 kmph."
    }
  ]
}