Deep depression in Bay of Bengal intensifies into cyclone ‘Murasu’ (Lead)

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Amaravati, Nov 1 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a cyclone alert for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm.

The cyclone, which has been given the name ‘Murasu’, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 2-3.

The IMD said in a bulletin on Sunday afternoon that a deep depression intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ over southwest & adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

The deep depression moved west-northwestwards with speed of 23 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into the cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ and lay centered at 11.30 a.m. IST of Sunday over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 560 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 660 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 630 km east-southeast of Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), 640 km southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 680 km east-southeast of Ongole (Andhra Pradesh).

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal around Monday morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting 120kmph between Nellore and Narsapur during midnight (2330 Hrs IST) of 2nd to early hours (0400 Hrs IST) on Tuesday.

This will be the second cyclonic storm to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast in less than a week.

Very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur in the early hours of October 28, with the maximum sustained wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph.

It claimed seven lives and caused widespread damage to crops, roads, electricity and telecom infrastructure in the coastal districts.

Crops over thousands of acres were damaged in the cyclone while hundreds of electricity polls and trees were uprooted.

As per preliminary estimates, the cyclone caused losses of Rs 4,600 crore.

A Central team is currently visiting the state to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.

–IANS

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Addressing a rally in Rohini and seeking votes for party candidate Vijender Gupta, Shah said the AAP party stands for “lies, deceit and fraud” as they have failed to deliver on several counts including their promise to close liquor vends in residential areas, making Yamuna as clean as London’s River Thames and doubling hospital beds.

He said Kejriwal has accused BJP of mixing poison in Yamuna water but does any single Delhiite believe him?

“It is Kejriwal who has forced Delhiites to drink contaminated water due to failure to clean the Yamuna,” said Shah, urging Rohini residents to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and bring the BJP to power in the city to pave the way for double-engine governance.

HM Shah said the AAP is a party which is known to break promises whereas every word that Prime Minister Narendra Modi says is a word etched in stone.

The AAP is spreading lies that the BJP government will stop welfare schemes on coming to power in Delhi but this is not true, he said.

“Let me assure you once again, not a single welfare scheme in Delhi will be stopped when BJP comes to power,” said Shah, reminding voters about PM Modi’s assurance.

“PM Modi has improved the economy, made it more secure and raised the nation’s glory across the globe with the conduct of G20 Summit,” he said, repeating the BJP’s poll promise of giving Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance to women, Rs 21,000 for pregnant women and enhancement of widow and old age pension along with health insurance and KG to PG sponsorship of education of needy children.

He said Kejriwal used the money meant for Rohini’s development to build his Rs 52 crore Sheesh Mahal – a monument of corruption.

He said voters should press the EVM button with such force that the window panes of Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’ come down crashing on February 5.

The election is a golden opportunity for Delhi voters to get rid of the AAPda (destruction) government which has turned the city into a garbage dump and failed on all fronts.

Listing several scams under the AAP rule in Delhi, Shah highlighted the AAP government’s failure to fight corruption and punish Congress leaders.

Pointing to 35 drowning deaths in Delhi due to water logging, Shah said, “Step aside Kejriwalji if you can’t govern without excuses, the BJP will show you how to deliver on promises.”

The Union Home Minister said Delhi will become beautiful once the BJP comes to power and the water supply will also be improved in the city.

He also repeated the BJP’s promises for freehold rights for properties of refugees who came from Pakistan during partition, de-sealing of 13,000 shops and health and life insurance schemes for autorickshaw, taxi, e-rickshaw drivers, gig workers and the poor.

–IANS

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MEA advices caution after fake account impersonating ministry misleads public

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“We have come across an account on X, @MEABharat. This account has absolutely no linkage to the Ministry. As such, it is impersonating the Ministry and misleading the public and undermining public interest. All are advised to exercise due caution,” the MEA’s ‘Fact Check’ handle posted on X.

The dubious account, having over 19,000 followers, has been reposting the posts from various government ministries, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the President.

Earlier this month, the MEA Fact Check team also warned about certain individuals who are projecting themselves as advisors to the ministry on various social media platforms.

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Last month, the Fact Check account of the MEA also noticed fake announcements and advertisements for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra circulating online.

“Caution to Yatris. It has been noticed that fake announcements and advertisements for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organised by MEA are circulating online. Beware of such announcements and advertisements. kmy.gov.in is the only genuine portal for KMY organised by MEA,” the Fact Check account stated.

–IANS

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India can harness AI to achieve $30 trillion economy target by 2047: IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday said that India’s goal of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) can be achieved with AI-driven innovation and expansion, and the country could harness AI to achieve its target of a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

Addressing the AI Impact Summit 2026 here, Georgieva said that artificial intelligence could bolster global growth by 0.8 per cent, faster than the pace seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Faster economic growth is fantastic for creating more opportunities and more jobs,” she told the gathering.

“India is well-positioned due to its youthful, innovative population and strong public digital infrastructure, which has lowered barriers to entrepreneurship and adoption of new technologies,” she noted.

However, she also cautioned that AI poses significant risks for employment.

Nearly 40 per cent of jobs could be affected by AI. Referring to International Monetary Fund-backed studies, she said this number could shoot up to 60 per cent in advanced economies.

Entry-level and routine jobs are particularly vulnerable, she noted.

Several top tech leaders have cautioned that entry-level white-collar jobs are vulnerable in the next couple of years due to the expansion of superior AI models which can think on their own.

Georgieva also said that countries must focus on revamping education to emphasise learning how to learn and supporting workers in rapidly changing labour markets.

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–IANS

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