After Cyclone Arnab, Murasu Threatens Odisha With Heavy Rain
Southern Odisha likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4; system expected to cross Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3
Bhubaneswar: Even as Odisha is recovering from the impact of Cyclone Arnab, another weather system, Cyclone Murasu, is threatening to bring heavy rainfall to several parts of the State, particularly southern Odisha, over the next few days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for five southern districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri — forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3 and 4.
Although Murasu is not expected to make a direct landfall in Odisha, its indirect impact is likely to trigger widespread rainfall and thunderstorms in the State as the system moves towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast.
According to the IMD forecast, Cyclone Murasu is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur by the morning of November 3. Wind speeds during landfall are expected to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
The weather system is likely to influence weather conditions in Odisha from Sunday. Several places in the State may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. The IMD has already issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and rain in 16 districts.
On Monday, southern Odisha is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, with heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 12 cm expected at isolated places in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely in several coastal and southern districts.
The situation may intensify on November 3 and 4, when heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khordha and Puri districts on November 3.
On November 4, the rainfall activity is likely to continue, with heavy rainfall forecast in Nuapada, Nayagarh, Puri, Khordha, Bolangir and Bargarh districts, besides the five southern districts under the orange warning.
The IMD has advised people to keep track of weather updates, take shelter during thunderstorms to avoid lightning strikes and follow traffic advisories in urban areas.
Meanwhile, rainfall activity is expected to gradually decline from November 5, although some places may continue to experience light to moderate rain and thunderstorms. The intensity is likely to reduce considerably on November 6 and 7.
The latest weather development has put the southern districts of Odisha on alert, particularly in view of the recent experience with Cyclone Arnab.
