Cyclonic storm Murasu: Chennai airport cancels 11 flights, Andhra Pradesh restricts tourism
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Cyclonic storm Murasu, which has formed over the Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a severe tropical cyclone today, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It's carrying wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph and is the second such cyclone to strike the eastern coast in less than a week, after Cyclone Arnab. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on November 3 morning. Severe weather alerts are in place in various states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Odisha, due to the same, and it has also disrupted various flight, rail and other travel operations. Here are the details.
Chennai airport announces flight cancellations
As of November 2, Monday morning, 11 IndiGo flights to and from Chennai are cancelled due to inclement weather. They include flights from and to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kadapa and Tiruchirappally. On its social media page, IndiGo Airlines said that they are notifying affected customers on their mobile phones. They are advised to check the flight status before proceeding to the airport. Operations are also affected at the Gannavaram, aka Vijayawada International Airport, Vizag, Rajahmundry and Tirupati airports.
Train services impacted
The Southern Central Railway and the East Coast Railway have suspended and diverted quite a few services due to the cyclone. Around 32 train services through Odisha and coastal tracks that connect Andhra Pradesh remain officially suspended. Moreover, many popular tourist destinations across Andhra Pradesh now stand temporarily closed or under strict restrictions due to the approaching storm. Here are a few on the list:
a) Kailasagiri
b) Rushikonda Beach
c) RK Beach
d) Bapatla and Coastal regions like Suryalanka Beach
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