Cyclone Murasu is set to bring heavy rain, cloudy skies and cold weather to several parts of South Telangana from November 3 to 5. The impact is expected to peak from the afternoon of November 3 to midnight of November 4. On November 2, East, South and Central Telangana are expected to receive moderate rain, while the rest of the state will see light rain.
The cyclone, named by India, has intensified over the Bay of Bengal. It is forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, late on November 2 into early November 3. It is expected to be a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph. Rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected over Telangana through November 4 before conditions improve.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 2 in Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy districts. A yellow alert covers Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Jangaon and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri. Isolated extremely heavy rain is possible in parts of southern and eastern Telangana on November 3.
Parts of Nalgonda, Nagarkurnool, Suryapet and Wanaparthy may receive 100–130 mm of rain in total from the cyclone. Other districts, including Hyderabad City, are likely to see moderate rain. North Telangana is expected to get only light rain. Rainfall across the state is forecast to reduce significantly after November 6.
Farmers in Sangareddy, Khammam and other districts face the risk of crop damage to paddy and cotton. Harvesting operations are likely to be delayed and costs may rise, at a time when market prices for fresh produce are relatively high. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for Hyderabad and northern districts during the cyclone’s passage.
