Cyclone Murasu Strikes India's Eastern Coast, Leaving Widespread Damage

Landfall Details and Immediate Impact

On the early morning of May 12, 2024, Cyclone Murasu surged ashore near the coastal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The storm arrived with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts that briefly exceeded 150 km/h, according to the India Meteorological Department. Rainfall totals in the first 24 hours topped 250 mm in several locations, triggering flash floods that swept across low‑lying villages.

Uprooted trees fell on homes and roads, while power lines snapped under the force of the wind. Thousands of households lost electricity, and many coastal roads became impassable, hampering the movement of emergency vehicles.

Wind Speeds and Rainfall Distribution

Maximum sustained wind: 120 km/h
Peak gusts: 150 km/h
Rainfall: 250‑300 mm in the most affected districts
Storm surge: 2‑3 meters above normal tide levels

These figures place Murasu in the category of a severe cyclonic storm, a classification used by the regional meteorological services.

Region Already Reeling from Prior Cyclone

Only four days earlier, Cyclone Aswin battered the same stretch of coastline, leaving broken roofs, damaged crops and displaced families. The back‑to‑back nature of the events has stretched local resources thin.

Comparative Damage Assessment

While Aswin produced wind speeds around 100 km/h, Murasu’s higher velocity intensified the damage. Preliminary assessments show:

Tree loss increased by 30 percent compared with the previous storm.
Power outages now affect an estimated 250,000 customers, up from 150,000 after Aswin.
Coastal erosion has accelerated, with several meters of sand lost on popular beaches.

Experts from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction warn that consecutive cyclones can weaken natural barriers, making future storms more destructive.

Response from Authorities

State governments activated emergency operation centers within hours of the landfall. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinated with the armed forces to deploy rescue teams to the hardest hit zones.

Rescue Operations

More than 1,200 rescue workers, including naval personnel and local volunteers, were dispatched to evacuate residents from flooded areas. Temporary shelters were set up in schools and community halls, providing food, water and medical assistance.

Power Restoration Efforts

Electricity providers began clearing damaged lines on a priority basis. Crews worked around the clock, and by the third day after landfall, power had been restored to roughly 60 percent of the affected households.

Humanitarian Concerns and Relief Efforts

Health officials highlighted the risk of water‑borne diseases as floodwaters receded. Mobile health units were deployed to monitor and treat potential outbreaks.

Evacuations and Shelters

Approximately 45,000 people sought refuge in government shelters.
Each shelter was equipped with basic sanitation facilities to reduce disease transmission.
Food parcels containing rice, lentils and cooking oil were distributed by the Red Cross.

International Aid

The World Meteorological Organization offered technical assistance for weather monitoring, while several UN agencies pledged financial support for reconstruction.

Forecast and Long‑Term Outlook

Meteorologists predict that the monsoon trough will remain active over the Bay of Bengal for the next two weeks, raising the probability of additional cyclonic disturbances. Communities are urged to stay vigilant and follow updates from the IMD.

Potential for Further Storms

Seasonal forecasts from the BBC News Asia desk suggest a higher than average likelihood of at least two more severe cyclones forming before the end of the month. Preparedness measures, such as reinforcing shelters and restoring damaged infrastructure, are considered critical to reducing future loss of life and property.

The back‑to‑back impact of Cyclones Aswin and Murasu underscores the growing vulnerability of India's eastern coastline to extreme weather events. Ongoing recovery efforts, combined with improved early warning systems, aim to strengthen resilience against the next storm that may arrive.