Cyclone Murasu Intensifies as Odisha and Andhra Prepare Evacuations

Cyclone Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on November 2. The Odisha government accelerated evacuations from vulnerable coastal areas. Indian Railways cancelled nine trains as a precautionary measure for the Andhra Pradesh coast. Local administrations opened additional shelters and moved residents from low-lying zones.

The storm follows Cyclone Arnab, which left six people dead earlier in the season. Meteorological updates placed Murasu on a track that brings it closer to the Odisha and northern Andhra coasts. Wind speeds and rainfall projections increased as the system organised. Fishermen were advised to return to harbour. Ports restricted operations for smaller vessels.

District officials in Odisha reported that evacuation teams had begun moving people from identified high-risk villages. The state has experience with cyclones and maintains a network of multipurpose cyclone shelters. Supplies of food, water, and medical kits were prepositioned. Andhra Pradesh authorities issued similar alerts and monitored river levels that could rise with heavy rain.

The train cancellations affect routes along the eastern coast. Passengers received notifications through railway channels. Alternative arrangements were limited because the precautionary window is short. Road transport in coastal districts is also subject to restriction once winds exceed set thresholds. Schools in several districts announced closures for November 3.

The India Meteorological Department continues to issue updates on the storm's intensity and landfall probability. A severe cyclonic storm classification indicates sustained winds capable of damaging structures and uprooting trees. Storm surge remains a primary concern for low-lying coastal stretches. Previous cyclones in the same basin have produced surges of one to two metres in similar conditions.

Recovery from Cyclone Arnab is still incomplete in some areas. The arrival of Murasu compresses the time available for repairs to embankments and drainage. Local administrations have prioritised the most exposed communities. The number of people already moved was not released in the initial reports, but the scale of train cancellations and shelter activation indicates a broad response.

The concrete measures already taken include nine cancelled trains, accelerated evacuations in Odisha, and the formal upgrade of the storm to severe cyclonic status. Those steps define the current level of preparedness. Further intensification or a shift in track will determine whether additional districts enter the highest alert category before the system makes landfall.