In brief
Cyclone Murasu made landfall on India’s southern coast, bringing winds of up to 120 km/h, heavy rains and uprooted trees yet no casualties have been reported. The event follows Cyclone Arnab, which some sources say killed more than ten people, while Business Recorder cites six deaths. The cyclone caused flight cancellations in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and led to evacuation of 160,000 people in Odisha.
A second cyclone in the past week, named Murasu, brushed the southern coast of India early Tuesday, bringing wind speeds of up to 120 km/h and heavy rainfall, yet authorities have so far reported no deaths or injuries. Local officials and media outlets confirm that the storm weakened once it approached the coast, preventing the level of destruction seen with the earlier Cyclone Arnab.
Xinhua’s coverage
Xinhua reports that Cyclone Murasu struck Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts with gusts of 120 km/h, uprooting numerous trees but sparing any human casualties. The agency notes that the landfall occurred in the early hours of Tuesday and that power supplies remained largely intact. Xinhua also highlights that over 20 flights—some international—were either cancelled or diverted from airports in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Tamil Nadu due to rough weather.
Business Recorder’s account
Business Recorder echoes Xinhua’s report of no deaths or injuries from Murasu, adding that trees and electric poles were uprooted. The paper further provides context on the earlier storm, stating that Cyclone Arnab left at least six people dead, a figure that contrasts with Xinhua’s claim of more than ten fatalities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The Hindu’s briefing
The Hindu releases a brief on Murasu’s landfall near Ongole, noting that the cyclone has not caused power disruptions in Kothapatnam. It also reports that Odisha authorities evacuated 1.6 lakh (160,000) people in response to the storm’s threat. While The Hindu does not detail casualty figures, its coverage places emphasis on the preventive measures taken by state officials.
Comparative context on past cyclone Arnab
The second cyclone, Arnab, struck the Andhra Pradesh coast earlier in the week, with outlets differing on its death toll. Xinhua estimates the death toll at more than ten, citing widespread flight cancellations and damage. Business Recorder, on the other hand, reports a death count of six, describing the storm as carrying heavy rains and wind damage to infrastructure.
Impact assessment
Across all sources, Murasu’s impact has been mostly structural. The cyclone uprooted numerous trees, toppled electric poles, and caused significant rainfall that could alter local water levels. Nonetheless, immediate reports emphasize that human life was not directly affected. The acknowledgment of flight disruptions underscores the storm’s effect on transportation infrastructure, potentially delaying migration or economic activity in the affected regions.
Preparedness and response
Officials in Andhra Pradesh directed residents to remain indoors during the storm and prepared emergency services for potential after‑effects. Odisha’s evacuation of 160,000 citizens illustrates a proactive stance in mitigating potential harm from the storm’s projected path. These measures contrast with the absence of intense damage reports from the neighbouring southern coastal districts.
Concluding remarks
While Cyclone Murasu spared human casualties in its landfall on India’s southern coast, the event highlights the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the region. The discrepancies in casualty reports of the earlier Cyclone Arnab underscore challenges in real‑time data gathering during rapidly evolving weather disasters. Aviation authorities’ flight cancellations further reflect the broader socioeconomic ripple effects of such weather events, even when they do not directly harm human life.
