Andhra Pradesh prepares as Cyclone Murasu nears coast

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ordered officials to prepare for Cyclone Murasu and prioritize protecting lives as forecasts shifted ahead of its expected arrival along the coast. As of November 3, officials expected the storm to make landfall near Kothapatnam early Tuesday, with winds of 100 to 110 km/h. The reports did not confirm whether landfall occurred or describe the cyclone’s final effects. Naidu told residents in areas expected to be severely affected to stay indoors until the cyclone passed. During a preparedness review, he sought updates on rainfall and wind conditions in Nellore, Prakasam and the Kothapatnam coastal area. Officials reported light drizzle in Nellore and near Kothapatnam, and moderate rainfall in Ongole. Officials forecast heavy rainfall in 125 mandals, according to the briefing to Naidu. The report did not give a rainfall amount for that total. A day earlier, officials had forecast rainfall of about 30 centimeters in Palnadu, 24 centimeters in Prakasam and 19 centimeters in Markapuram, with up to 9 centimeters in several other districts. Those figures were forecasts, not reported rainfall totals. Naidu directed officials to guard...