Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
Cyclone Murasu has weakened after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, but its impact continues to be felt across southern India, with heavy rainfall and flash-flood warnings remaining in place. While Odisha largely escaped the latest cyclone, farmers in its southern districts are still struggling to recover from extensive agricultural losses caused by Cyclone Arnab, which struck the region on October 28.
The back-to-back cyclonic systems have left communities in parts of eastern and southern India dealing with damaged crops, disrupted electricity supplies, flooded settlements and mounting financial uncertainty. Although Murasu has lost much of its intensity, the rainfall associated with the system continues to pose risks to vulnerable areas.
Cyclone Murasu makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, weakens over land
Cyclone Murasu developed over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal from a depression on October 31. It intensified into a cyclonic storm on November 1 before strengthening into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2.
Moving towards the Indian coastline, the storm prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible coastal flooding. The system was forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, with sustained wind speeds of 100–110 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 120 kmph.
Murasu made landfall between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on November 3, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal Andhra Pradesh. The storm uprooted trees, damaged electricity infrastructure and inundated agricultural fields and low-lying settlements. Bapatla and Prakasam districts reported damage to houses, farms and standing crops. Reports of sea-water intrusion and storm surges also emerged from parts of the coast. Authorities had begun evacuating thousands of people ahead of the storm. Schools were closed and transport services, including some train services and flights, were disrupted as a precautionary measure. The cyclone gradually weakened after crossing the coast. By November 4, it had weakened into a deep depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining eastern Telangana, moving north-northeastwards at around 7 kmph.
However, the reduction in wind intensity did not mean the danger had passed. The system continued to bring heavy rainfall, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh and forecasting isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall of 115.6–204.4 mm. Yellow alerts were also issued for Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. The weather department warned of possible flash floods in vulnerable catchments across several Andhra Pradesh districts, including Anakapalli, Bapatla, Kakinada, Krishna, Guntur, Eluru, NTR, Prakasam, Nellore and the Godavari districts. The warnings highlighted the risks associated with the remnants of a cyclone, as intense rainfall can trigger flooding even after a storm has weakened considerably.
Odisha farmers count losses after Cyclone Arnab
While Cyclone Murasu largely spared Odisha, the state’s southern districts were still dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, which struck on October 28. Flooding following the cyclone caused extensive damage to agricultural fields across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts, leaving thousands of farmers worried about their livelihoods.
Standing paddy, maize, pulses and vegetable crops suffered extensive losses. For many farmers, the destruction has wiped out months of work and investment, raising concerns about their ability to repay agricultural loans. Vegetable growers have suffered heavily. Radish, okra, beans, brinjal and gourds were among the crops damaged by the flooding. Malati Mallick of Anchuli village said floodwaters from the Rushikulya river had destroyed vegetables cultivated across two acres of her land. She had expected to harvest the produce in December.
In neighbouring Gajapati district, a family in Gothakeli village lost three acres of maize. As floodwaters receded, farmers found their fields covered in silt, while several crops had begun rotting. The damage has also affected local vegetable supplies, with farmers reporting rising prices following the disruption to cultivation.
The crisis extends beyond agricultural losses. Nearly a week after Cyclone Arnab, several villages in southern Odisha remained without electricity after strong winds uprooted poles and damaged power lines. Residents reported damaged communication networks, inadequate relief and dangerously hanging electrical wires. Some families were relying on candles while waiting for electricity to be restored. An eight-member central government team, led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, arrived in Bhubaneswar on November 2 to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent flooding.
The Odisha government has also directed district agriculture officers to conduct field-level assessments of crop losses. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said compensation and other assistance would be provided after the assessment reports were received. For farmers, however, the immediate challenge is rebuilding their livelihoods. Many are facing the prospect of another agricultural season without sufficient resources, particularly those who did not have crop insurance.
The developments underline how the consequences of cyclonic storms often extend well beyond their landfall. While Murasu has weakened and moved inland, the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding persists in Andhra Pradesh. In Odisha, meanwhile, the damage from Arnab continues to shape the lives of farming communities, highlighting the long and uncertain road to recovery after extreme weather events.
Odisha’s Chief Minister Announces Relief Measures for Cyclone Arnab Victims
Banner Image: AI generated
Sections of this article may have been developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to support research, drafting, and language refinement. All information has been reviewed, edited, and verified by the author/editor to ensure accuracy, context, and editorial integrity. The responsibility for the final content, interpretations, and conclusions rests solely with the publisher.
