BHUBANESWAR, Nov 3 — Cyclone Murasu made landfall along India's eastern coast today, the second storm to hit the region in a week as authorities evacuated thousands of people to safety.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the severe cyclonic storm crossed the coast of the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh between 3.30am and 5.30am local time, with wind speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 120 kph.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority's managing director Prakhar Jain said that no deaths or injuries have been reported so far, although some trees and electric poles were uprooted.
Authorities began evacuating thousands of people yesterday and plan to move some 30,000 to safety in Andhra Pradesh, which is in the path of the cyclone.
Cyclone Murasu formed over the Bay of Bengal, a major region for tropical cyclones that have spawned deadly storms on India's east coast.
IMD forecasts said Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to its south would be hit hardest.
At least six people were killed in Cyclone Arnab, which was classified by IMD as a very severe cyclonic storm and made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday (October 28).
