Cyclone Murasu Hits Andhra Coast; Heavy Rain Alert Issued

Severe Cyclone Murasu made landfall near Ongole along the south Andhra Pradesh coast early this morning, bringing winds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm is currently centred over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. It is expected to move north-northwestwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon and a deep depression by midnight. A red alert has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy showers, across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Heavy rain is also forecast in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Mahe and Karaikal. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds are likely over Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha.

Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR continues to face very poor air quality, with Delhi recording an AQI of 331 at 7 AM. The Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced GRAP Stage-II restrictions across the NCR. AQI levels between 301 and 400 fall under the very poor category, while readings above 400 are classified as severe.