Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, raising the likelihood of heavy rain in Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.
In a bulletin, the IMD said severe cyclonic storm Murasu has moved further closer to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts after intensifying in the morning.
According to the observation at 5.30 am, the system over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 25 kmph during the past six hours.
The storm lay centred about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai, 210 km east-southeast of Nellore, 220 km east-southeast of Kavali and 260 km southeast of Ongole.
Cyclone Murasu is likely to continue to move north-westwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph. The landfall is expected between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, during midnight of November2 and early hours of Tuesday.
In view of the system, a red cyclone warning remains in force for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts.
Although the cyclone is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, several parts of Odisha, particularly the southern districts, are likely to experience rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds under its influence.
The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall at some places in Gajapati and Ganjam districts on Monday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are also likely at isolated places in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Khordha districts.
Similarly, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph, are likely in Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur and Nayagada districts.
The intensity of rainf is expected to increase on Tuesday, with an orange warning issued for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
A yellow warning has also been issued for Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nayagada, Khordha and Kataka districts.