Cyclone Murasu leaves trail of destruction in Prakasam district; no casualties reported

Uprooted neem trees block the road between Naguluppalapadu and Amanabrolu in Prakasam district after Cyclone Murasu brought strong winds and heavy rain to the region, on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Cyclone Murasu made landfall between Kothapatnam in Prakasam district and Chinaganjam in neighbouring Bapatla district around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph and gusts touching nearly 150 kmph.

The severe winds and heavy rainfall uprooted hundreds of trees, damaged electricity poles and disrupted mobile networks, while several livestock were reported dead.

Prakasam District Collector P. Raja Babu told The Hindu that the administration began evacuation after RTGS and IMD forecasts around 3 p.m. on Monday indicated the cyclone’s trajectory towards Ongole and Bapatla. Eight mandals were identified for precautionary measures. Strong winds began around 10 p.m. after cloudy conditions prevailed during the evening and continued with heavy rain until 5 a.m.

Officials shifted people to relief shelters, including 137 pregnant women who were due to deliver within 10 days. A total of 10 deliveries took place safely in hospitals. More than 2,100 people were relocated and no human casualties were reported.

NDRF personnel remove a tree that fell on the statue of Prakasam Pantulu and damaging it at Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole following strong winds triggered by Cyclone Murasu on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Over 30 trees fell on Roads and Buildings (R&B) department roads and nearly 300 others in eight villages. A large tree at the Collectorate fell and damaged the statue of Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu. The administration cleared fallen trees and restored traffic movement. Around 90 electricity poles were damaged in Naguluppalapadu. More than 200 cell towers of one service provider were affected, with 50-60% restored. The others, including BSNL, were yet to submit their restoration status. However, the service providers assured that lines will be normalised after power was restored.

A fallen electric transformer and pole lie across a road at Naguluppalapadu village in Prakasam district following strong winds and heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Murasu on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

The Collector said that around 1,000 acres of paddy were waterlogged, but no area was inundated. House damage and livestock losses were being assessed. Deaths of some sheep were reported, with around 67 present at one location. He said normalcy would be restored by Wednesday.

The damaged roof of a petrol bunk at Chadhalawada village in Prakasam district after Cyclone Murasu brought strong winds and heavy rain to the region, on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Prakasam Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju explained to The Hindu that the police established communication networks in affected mandals and monitored coastal locations throughout the night. Three rescue operations saved the lives in three separate locations, he added. Personnel attended to distress calls, including one from journalists with the national media stranded by fallen trees. Police and Revenue officials jointly undertook rescue operations, deploying earthmovers and clearing roads. Six locations were identified to halt highway traffic if visibility deteriorated, but vehicular movement remained uninterrupted. Some trains were temporarily halted during landfall.

District Special Officer P. Ranjit Basha observed that the cyclone crossed the coast with winds of around 120 kmph. He identified livestock deaths, fallen trees and damaged electricity poles as major concerns and said restoration work was being expedited.

Published - November 03, 2026 07:19 pm IST