NELLORE — Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan directed officials to remain on high alert as Cyclone Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, even as the state continues recovery efforts from Cyclone Arnab.
At a review meeting Monday with senior officials from the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply Departments, Kalyan emphasized the need to evacuate people in low-lying areas and ensure inter-departmental coordination to prevent loss of life.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of extremely heavy rain in Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Bapatla and Krishna districts. The cyclone was initially forecast to cross the coast between Bapatla and Machilipatnam but had changed course and was now expected to make landfall near Nellore.
Heavy rain was already lashing Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Tirupati and Markapuram districts under the influence of the cyclone. Six National Disaster Response Force and seven State Disaster Response Force teams were kept on standby, with other precautionary measures being taken.
Officials said the focus remains on minimizing hardship and preventing loss of life as the system moves toward the coast.
