Three National Disaster Response Force teams comprising 90 personnel have been deployed from the 4th Battalion near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu to support rescue and relief operations as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, according to an official quoted by PTI.
The teams, each comprising 30 personnel, are being sent to Nellore, Prakasam and Markapuram districts. They will assist with emergency rescue, debris clearance and relief operations for residents affected by the cyclone.
The deployment comes as Andhra Pradesh prepares for the storm’s expected landfall between the night of November 2 and the early morning of November 3. The India Meteorological Department said Murasu was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 14 kmph and was positioned over the Bay of Bengal.
In its latest position estimate cited in the report, the storm was about 120 km east-southeast of Nellore, 140 km east-southeast of Kavali, 170 km northeast of Chennai, 180 km southeast of Ongole and 220 km south of Machilipatnam. The locations place the system close to a densely settled coastal and hinterland belt where disruption to roads, power, communications and essential services can complicate emergency response.
The IMD said the cyclone would cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur. At landfall, it is expected to have wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. The forecast has prompted the mobilisation of specialised response teams from the NDRF battalion near Arakkonam, allowing personnel and equipment to be positioned closer to the areas identified for potential rescue and relief work.
The NDRF teams will operate under a senior commander, sources said. Their responsibilities include responding to emergencies, clearing debris and providing relief assistance to affected citizens. The deployment also reflects the operational importance of placing trained rescue personnel near vulnerable districts before the storm reaches the coast, rather than waiting for access routes and local infrastructure to be disrupted.
For residents and local administrations, the immediate challenge extends beyond the cyclone’s landfall. High winds and heavy weather can affect road access, damage structures and obstruct the movement of emergency services. Debris clearance is therefore a central part of the response, particularly where blocked roads could delay evacuation, medical assistance or the delivery of essential supplies.
The storm’s projected track and landfall window remain based on the IMD forecast cited in the report. The three NDRF teams are expected to assist Andhra Pradesh authorities in Nellore, Prakasam and Markapuram as rescue and relief operations are organised around the cyclone’s passage.
