Amaravati, Oct 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to remain on high alert as cyclone ‘Murasu’ is expected to cross the state’s coast tonight, calling for comprehensive precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and damage to property.
Naidu chaired a review meeting on cyclone preparedness at the Secretariat through the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre, interacting with senior officials and district collectors. He asked the administration to closely monitor the situation and ensure that relief and restoration arrangements were in place, particularly in the South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, where moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast.
The Chief Minister said the impact of Murasu on the Andhra Pradesh coast was expected to be relatively limited. According to forecasts discussed at the meeting, wind speeds and rainfall intensity were likely to remain lower than those associated with cyclone ‘Arnab’, which crossed the coast last week. However, he cautioned officials against complacency and directed them to remain prepared for any eventuality.
Naidu observed that normalcy had been restored to a large extent in the areas affected by Arnab. Recalling the precautionary arrangements made between Srikakulam and Bapatla during the previous cyclone, he asked officials to apply the lessons learnt and ensure that the impact of Murasu was managed effectively.
Power restoration teams put on standby
A major concern discussed during the meeting was the possible impact of strong winds on electricity infrastructure. Officials informed the Chief Minister that around 31,000 electricity poles had already been dispatched to the field across the stretch from Srikakulam to Krishna district.
They estimated that approximately 8,000 electricity poles in the South Coastal and Rayalaseema districts could be affected by the winds accompanying Murasu. To strengthen restoration efforts, another 1,000 personnel were arriving from Chennai.
Naidu instructed officials to deploy the additional workforce across vulnerable districts, including Nellore and Prakasam, so that damaged power infrastructure could be repaired without delay. He emphasised the need to ensure that restoration teams and necessary equipment were positioned in advance.
Palnadu may receive 30 cm rainfall
The review meeting also examined district-wise rainfall projections. According to officials, Palnadu was likely to receive the highest rainfall, at around 30 cm. Prakasam could receive approximately 24 cm, while Markapuram was forecast to get around 19 cm.
Krishna and Guntur districts may receive up to 9 cm of rainfall. Eluru and Nellore were also expected to record around 9 cm each.
In view of the rainfall projections, the Chief Minister called for focused attention on water management. He directed officials to utilise the rainfall to replenish tanks and reservoirs in Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore and Markapuram, which have been experiencing a rainfall deficit.
He also asked the departments concerned to prepare an action plan for storing water in reservoirs across the South Coastal and Rayalaseema basins. The objective, he said, should be to manage the incoming water effectively while taking adequate precautions against flooding and damage to irrigation infrastructure.
Safety of 6,800 tanks a priority
Naidu directed officials to pay particular attention to the safety of around 6,800 tanks spread across the six districts expected to be affected by the cyclone. He called for the activation of Water Users Associations and stressed the importance of involving local communities in monitoring the condition of tanks.
Officials were asked to make effective use of works undertaken under the Jaladhara programme and take all necessary steps to prevent tank breaches. The Chief Minister emphasised that regular monitoring and timely preventive action were essential to avoid damage to nearby villages and agricultural land.
He also instructed officials to clear silt from drains and take preventive measures to ensure that waterlogging did not lead to the inundation of crops. The administration was asked to pay attention to drainage channels and ensure that accumulated silt did not obstruct the flow of rainwater.
Restoration deadline set at 48 hours
Setting a clear timeline for post-cyclone operations, Naidu directed officials to complete restoration works within 48 hours. He stressed the need for coordinated action among departments to restore essential services and address disruptions caused by the cyclone.
The Chief Minister also asked the administration to expedite the processing of crop insurance compensation and input subsidies for farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.
With Murasu approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, the state government is focusing on preparedness across power, irrigation, agriculture and disaster management departments. The Chief Minister's directions included advance deployment of restoration personnel, protection of water bodies, efficient storage of rainfall and speedy recovery of essential services.
Officials have been asked to maintain close coordination and ensure that precautionary measures are implemented across vulnerable districts as the cyclone moves towards the coast.
