Cyclone Murasu: CM directs officials to brace for flood into Bapatla district

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviews preparations for Cyclone Murasu with district officials through a video conference on Monday. Bapatla district is likely to bear the brunt of the storm. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property in Bapatla district in view of Cyclone Murasu, which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. He reviewed the preparedness of district administrations through a video conference on Monday (November 2, 2026), attended by Bapatla Collector Vinod Kumar V.

The Chief Minister warned that Bapatla was likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone, since heavy inflows of floodwater were expected through irrigation canals from upstream districts, including Guntur, Palnadu, Prakasam and Markapuram. He asked officials to inspect canal bunds, remain alert for four days of heavy inflows, evacuate people from low-lying areas and establish rehabilitation centres. He also said a special officer would be appointed for Bapatla district.

In a review meeting on cyclone preparedness, Mr. Naidu said the District Collectors should be alert to meet any contingency keeping in view the likelihood of heavy rains and gales. He ordered that steps be taken to fill reservoirs, tanks and ponds through efficient water management in the south coastal and Rayalaseema regions.

కోస్తాంధ్ర తీరానికి అతి దగ్గరగా ఉన్న మురసు తుఫాన్ సన్నద్ధతపై గౌరవ ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ నారా చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు నేడు సమీక్ష నిర్వహించారు. రియల్ టైమ్ గవర్నెన్స్ సొసైటీ నుంచి క్షేత్రస్థాయిలో తుఫాను సన్నద్ధత గురించి అధికారులు, కలెక్టర్లతో మాట్లాడారు. అర్నబ్ తుఫాను వల్ల జరిగిన విధ్వంసంలో చాలా ప్రాంతాలు సాధారణ స్థితికి వచ్చాయని, మురసు తుఫానును ప్రభావాన్ని కూడా సమర్ధంగా ఎదుర్కోవాల్సి ఉందని అన్నారు. తుఫాను గాలుల కారణంగా దక్షిణ కోస్తాంధ్ర, రాయలసీమ జిల్లాల్లో 8 వేల వరకూ విద్యుత్ స్తంభాలపై ప్రభావం పడే అవకాశం ఉందని అంచనా వేశారు. #AndhraPradesh

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) November 2, 2026

Officials told the Chief Minister that heavy rains were expected in south coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, along with copious inflows into the Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala project catchment areas. They said the impact of Murasu could be less than that of Cyclone Arnab but necessary precautionary steps were being taken.

Mr. Vinod Kumar said the administration had prepared a comprehensive plan involving all departments. Rainfall in the district was 30% below normal, but rain was likely for five days. He said 74 vulnerable locations had been identified, including irrigation canals, roads and tank bunds, where damage was possible. About 1,000 electricity poles and machinery had been kept ready. Weed removal and strengthening of canal bunds were under way.

He also said 50 personnel had been sent to the Godavari districts to assist in power restoration.

Meanwhile, all government, private and corporate schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Bapatla district would remain closed on November 2 and 3 in view of the forecast of extremely heavy rainfall, the Collector announced.

In an official announcement issued on Monday, the Collector said that extremely heavy rainfall was likely under the influence of the cyclone. He directed the education department officials and managements of all educational institutions to implement the holiday orders immediately. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students in view of the anticipated adverse weather conditions.

Published - November 02, 2026 04:06 pm IST