Cyclone Murasu is expected to bring rain to Chennai from Sunday night as it moves towards landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting severe wind conditions and heavy rainfall along the coastal belt.
The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning, according to the IMD. It is expected to make landfall in the Nellore-Kavali belt with sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph.
The weather system was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph during the three hours up to 8.30 am on Sunday. At that time, it was centred over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, approximately 630 km east-southeast of Chennai and 710 km east-southeast of Nellore.
The heaviest rainfall is expected along the coastal stretch between Sriharikota and Nellore. The forecast places Chennai and the north Tamil Nadu coast within the wider zone of squally weather associated with the cyclone’s approach, although the system is expected to make landfall further north in Andhra Pradesh.
Along and off the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are expected to begin. These winds are forecast to strengthen to 55-65 kmph, with gusts reaching 75 kmph, from Sunday night through Tuesday morning before gradually weakening.
The IMD has also forecast wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, over the west central Bay of Bengal from midnight on Monday until Tuesday noon. Similar conditions are expected along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast during the same period.
The warning has direct implications for fishing and other activities at sea. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during the warning period. Fishermen operating in deep-sea areas have been advised to return to the coast immediately.
For Chennai, the immediate concern is the possibility of rain and strong winds as the system tracks towards the Andhra coast. Such weather can affect coastal movement, fishing operations and exposed infrastructure, although the supplied forecast does not specify expected rainfall totals for the city or any announced transport and civic service disruptions.
The weather is expected to improve gradually from Tuesday evening as squally winds weaken further. Conditions are forecast to improve by Wednesday morning, according to the IMD forecast reported by Deccan Chronicle.
