Bhubaneswar/Nellore, November 2: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Kavali town between 8 pm and 10 pm on Monday, prompting authorities to issue safety advisories and urge residents to remain indoors. The storm is expected to have a significant impact on Nellore and Prakasam districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in an alert issued on X, said Cyclone Murasu was approaching the south Andhra Pradesh coast with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.

Urging people to remain vigilant, the IMD advised residents to take necessary precautions before, during and after the cyclone and strictly follow official weather updates and instructions issued by local authorities.

Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla said the cyclone was expected to make landfall near Kavali town, with its impact likely to extend across Nellore and Prakasam districts.

He appealed to people in Nellore district to remain indoors and assured them that the administration had made arrangements to deal with medical emergencies and provide essential services.

Residents requiring medical assistance can dial 108, following which ambulances would be sent to their homes, he said.

The Collector also cautioned passengers about possible disruptions to railway and bus services due to the cyclone. He advised those who had booked tickets online to verify the latest operational status before heading to railway stations or bus terminals to avoid inconvenience.

Assuring people of prompt restoration of essential services, Shukla said the administration was taking all necessary measures to minimise disruptions, particularly to electricity supply.

He further informed that cyclone shelters had been opened for residents whose houses could be affected by flooding. People facing waterlogging or inundation were advised to move to the nearest cyclone shelter, where arrangements had been made for food, milk and drinking water.

Meanwhile, Odisha has intensified its preparedness for Cyclone Murasu, with the Water Resources Department taking precautionary measures while simultaneously assessing damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and undertaking restoration work at affected locations.

Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department Dilip Kumar Rout said field engineers had conducted extensive inspections of the damaged sites and assessed the extent of the destruction. The department is planning temporary restoration measures alongside repairs to major damaged structures.

He said efforts were underway to complete the restoration work, adding that normalcy was expected to return within two to three months.

As part of its preparations for Cyclone Murasu, the department has started lowering water levels in all 10 medium reservoirs across the state to prevent any possible flood-related complications.

Authorities are also closely monitoring major reservoirs in southern Odisha, including Kolab, Indravati and Balimela, Rout said.

He added that the department was making efforts to close breaches at the earliest to prevent further damage to nearby habitations.

The precautionary measures are aimed at minimising the potential impact of the cyclone on water infrastructure and vulnerable areas of the state.