Fishermen haul 400 boats ashore as Cyclone Murasu approaches Kothapatnam in Andhra’s Ongole

Fishermen move their nets to a safer place as the sea turns turbulent with high waves ahead of Cyclone Murasu at Pallepalem coast near Kothapatnam on Monday.

The usually calm fishing village of Kothapatnam, about 18 km from Ongole, was buzzing with activity on Monday (November 2, 2026) as fishermen hurriedly secured their boats along the shore in preparation for the approaching Cyclone Murasu. The sea, which had remained relatively calm in the morning, began to witness higher tides after 5 p.m., adding to concerns among coastal residents.

Vallabhuni Venkata Rao, a fisherman, told The Hindu that the community had brought ashore nearly 400 fishing boats as a precaution against the cyclone. It took almost an entire day to move the boats to safety, and they were tied securely with ropes to prevent them from being swept away by the strong winds and waves.

Though the State government had arranged cyclone shelters in the village, most residents continued to stay in their houses. Only families living in poorly maintained houses were moving into the relief centres. The movement towards shelters gathered pace around 7 p.m. A resident said the shelters were proving helpful during difficult times.

Police personnel were making announcements to alert people, while an NDRF team had also reached Kothapatnam to assist with emergency operations.

Speaking to The Hindu, Special Officer for Kothapatnam T. Narayana said seven pregnant women had been shifted to Ongole as a precaution. Recalling the difficulties faced during Cyclone Montha last year, he said a pregnant woman had to be evacuated to Ongole hospital after floodwaters disrupted road connectivity.

Located downstream of several canals, Kothapatnam receives excess rainwater flowing from surrounding areas, making the village vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains, he said.