Chittoor, Annamayya districts brace for Cyclone Murasu

The officials are prepared for any emergency following a high alert for Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu across South Andhra Pradesh, projected to impact Chittoor and Annamayya districts over the next 48 hours.

While the core system is projected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, the sprawling outer bands of the cyclone are expected to reach the interior Rayalaseema region.

Officials have issued an orange alert for Chittoor district, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall through Monday and Tuesday. Neighbouring Annamayya district, which began the week under a yellow warning, is bracing for an escalation to an orange alert on Tuesday, with expectations of downpours in isolated areas.

Officials said that the sudden rain could trigger severe waterlogging in low-lying tracts, spill over swollen streams, and trigger localised flooding in vulnerable rural pockets.

Farmers across the Nagari, Chittoor, and Palamaner revenue divisions in Chittoor district and the eastern parts of Annamayya district initiated measures to protect standing paddy, horticultural orchards, and vegetable plots from gusty winds and floodwaters. Officials of the APSPDCL and civic officials were instructed to be prepared in the event of potential snapping of power lines and major roadblocks caused by uprooted trees.

Annamayya district Collector Nishant Kumar said that with the crucial 48-hour window under way, the district machinery has swung into action at all vulnerable areas. “Revenue, police, municipal, and disaster response teams remain stationed on high alert in flood-prone zones,” he said.

Chittoor Collector Sumit Kumar said that the district administration has issued strict advisories urging residents to stay alert to official weather bulletins. “Above all, the public should be cautious about fast-flowing streams and causeways,” he said. Teams were also formed to monitor low-lying areas in Nagari, Nindra, Vijayapuram, and SR Puram mandals in the district.