Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm; schools shut in Chennai, Tiruvallur
Cyclone Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast with winds of up to 120 kmph. Chennai and Tiruvallur are forecast to receive very heavy rainfall on Monday
Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur will remain closed on Monday (November 2) as Cyclone Murasu brings heavy rain to northern Tamil Nadu while moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Cyclonic Storm Murasu strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central and southwest Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm is likely to continue moving northwestwards and make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.
It is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur as a severe cyclonic storm, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3. Wind speeds at landfall are forecast at 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph.
Orange alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has issued an orange alert for Chennai and Tiruvallur on Monday, warning of very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm in 24 hours.
Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris are under a yellow alert for heavy rain the same day. Rainfall is expected to taper off on November 3, with heavy rain confined to isolated places in the Nilgiris.
Thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are also forecast at one or two places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, and the warning continues at isolated places until November 5.
District collectors put on high alert
The Revenue Administration and Disaster Management Department on Sunday evening directed district collectors across Tamil Nadu to remain on high alert after the RMC warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days. According to the official communication, the state has asked authorities to follow standard operating procedures for disaster management.
On November 2, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places in Chennai and Tiruvallur, with heavy rain continuing in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris. The intensity is expected to taper off on November 3, with heavy rain confined to isolated places in the Nilgiris.
The Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration has instructed the district collectors to mobilise all administrative machinery and take adequate preparedness measures. Authorities have also been asked to maintain strict vigilance and immediately report any untoward incident to the State Emergency Operations Centre.
The bulletin also said light to moderate rainfall would occur at many places in northern Tamil Nadu, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2 and 3.