Northern districts of Tamil Nadu are experiencing heavy rainfall as the severe cyclonic storm Murasu moves towards the coast, prompting airport authorities in Chennai to suspend several flight operations on Monday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the weather system, currently situated over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is tracking northwest at a speed of 25 kmph.
As of Monday, the cyclone was located approximately 200 kilometres east-northeast of Chennai and about 210 kilometres east-southeast of Nellore. The regional meteorological centre noted that the storm is projected to maintain a northwest trajectory, crossing the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm. Forecasters expect the system to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, specifically near Ongole, during the window between 11:30 pm on November 2 and the early hours of November 3. The wind speeds at landfall are anticipated to reach between 100 and 110 kmph, with gusts potentially hitting 120 kmph.
The impact of the cyclonic system has been felt across Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur, where torrential rains have been reported since Sunday night. In response to the worsening weather conditions, the Chennai Airport authorities issued a notification confirming the cancellation of at least 11 flights. The affected routes primarily include connections between Chennai and regional cities such as Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, and Tiruchirappalli. Passengers have been advised by airport management to coordinate directly with their respective airlines for status updates and travel assistance.
Despite the widespread rainfall, local administrative bodies have reported a relatively stable situation. Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner Sameeran stated that there have been no major untoward incidents reported in the city thus far. He further noted that the local government has not found it necessary to relocate residents to relief camps. While some minor inundation has occurred in specific pockets of North Chennai, the commissioner confirmed that traffic flow remains largely uninterrupted across the city.
Addressing concerns regarding infrastructure, official statements indicated that all major subways in Chennai remain operational. Municipal teams are currently prepared to address reports of fallen trees and localized waterlogging as the city braces for the full impact of the storm. The state remains on alert as the IMD continues to track the progress of the cyclone toward the neighboring Andhra Pradesh coast.
The current weather event follows a period of heightened meteorological monitoring in the Bay of Bengal, with weather systems closely tracked by the IMD over the recent week. With the landfall expected to occur overnight, officials in both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have urged residents in coastal areas to remain vigilant and follow official updates. Airline passengers are particularly encouraged to verify their flight statuses before travelling to the airport, as further adjustments to schedules remain possible depending on the storm's intensity as it nears the coast.
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