Severe cyclonic storm Murasu disrupted flights and left parts of Chennai waterlogged on Monday, while Odisha stepped up evacuations ahead of its expected landfall near Ongole on the southern Andhra Pradesh coast.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm was likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11.30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday, with wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph.

In its latest bulletin, the IMD said Murasu was moving northwestwards at 25 kmph and lay centred about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai, 210 km east-southeast of Nellore and 260 km southeast of Ongole.

Heavy overnight rain lashed Chennai and neighbouring Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts, prompting authorities to declare a school holiday in Chennai, where the IMD issued an orange alert.

Chennai airport authorities said some flights had been cancelled because of adverse weather and advised passengers to contact their airlines for updates and assistance.

Over the past 24 hours, Madhavaram recorded 11 cm of rainfall, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam received 10 cm each, an official said.

Source: telegraphindia