Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the state’s preparedness for Cyclone Murasu on Monday as the storm moved close to coastal Andhra Pradesh, with officials warning of moderate to heavy rain, possible flooding and damage to electricity infrastructure across several districts.
Naidu reviewed field-level preparations through the Real Time Governance Society in a meeting attended by officials and district Collectors. Officials said rainfall could affect South Coastal Andhra, other lower districts and parts of Rayalaseema, while warning that water flows into the Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala projects could create flood risks.
The officials estimated that water flows could reach between 30 and 50 TMC. The assessment places reservoir and tank management at the centre of the state’s immediate response, particularly across districts that could receive heavy rainfall from the storm.
Naidu said many areas had returned to normal conditions after the destruction caused by Cyclone Arnab, but added that the impact of Cyclone Murasu would also have to be handled effectively. Officials told him that Murasu’s impact was expected to be lower than Arnab’s, while the state machinery at the field level had been readied to respond to the storm.
Electricity restoration remains a key operational concern. Officials said 31,000 electricity poles had been sent to field locations from Srikakulam to Krishna district following Cyclone Arnab. They estimated that storm winds associated with Murasu could affect up to 8,000 electricity poles in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.
The scale of the preparations reflects the connection between cyclone response and the functioning of basic urban and rural services. Damage to electricity poles can disrupt water supply systems, communications, public facilities and transport operations, while flooding around reservoirs, tanks and low-lying areas can complicate access for response teams.
Naidu ordered officials to fill tanks in districts including Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore and Markapuram through efficient water management. He also directed officials to manage water flows and fill reservoirs across the South Coast and Rayalaseema basins.
The state’s immediate response will therefore involve two parallel tasks: preparing coastal and inland districts for heavy rain and wind, while managing reservoir and tank levels to reduce the risk of uncontrolled water flows. The next operational steps are expected to remain focused on field readiness, electricity infrastructure and water management as Cyclone Murasu affects Andhra Pradesh.
