The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has been hit hard by severe cyclonic storm 'Murasu', which made landfall and left a trail of destruction in its wake. Packing intense winds and torrential rainfall, the cyclone uprooted thousands of trees, disrupted power supplies, and damaged local crops. Local authorities ordered the closure of schools and colleges across at least eight districts as a precautionary measure against the worsening weather conditions.

Meanwhile, fierce social unrest has gripped the western coastal city of Karjat in Maharashtra state, where residents and environmental activists are pushing back against the planned felling of over 32,000 trees for a massive pumped storage power plant. Protests and demonstrations have nearly paralyzed local activity, with environmental experts warning that clearing the coastal forests could severely disrupt regional moisture cycles and long-distance precipitation patterns.

In maritime operations, the Indian Navy reportedly rescued 20 Iranian crew members from Somali pirates following a coordinated 48-hour mission. While the operation was deemed successful, analysts suggest that security challenges in surrounding international waters remain a persistent concern for the region.

Source: www.dw.com