Cyclone Murasu approaches Andhra Pradesh coast with landfall expected overnight

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved toward the south Andhra Pradesh coast on 2 November 2026 and was expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 2330 hours IST on 2 November and 0400 hours IST on 3 November. The India Meteorological Department placed the storm's intensity at 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph at the time of landfall.

By late evening on 2 November the system lay near 15.1°N and 80.4°E, roughly 50 km east-northeast of Kavali and 50 km southeast of Ongole. It had moved north-northwestwards at about 8 kmph in the preceding six hours. Outer spiral bands had already entered south coastal Andhra Pradesh. The wall-cloud region was approaching the coastline. Doppler weather radars at Chennai and Machilipatnam continued to track the system.

IMD warned of a storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tide in low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the highest surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall was forecast at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November. Heavy to very heavy rain was also expected in parts of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

State governments ordered school and college closures in several districts. Andhra Pradesh closed institutions in NTR, Palnadu, Nellore and Gudur. Tamil Nadu closed schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur. Parts of Odisha also announced closures. Indian Railways cancelled multiple trains as a precaution. At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports, with additional cancellations reported at Chennai.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to remain on high alert and to prioritise prevention of loss of life and property. District administrations reported expected rainfall totals in the range of 19 to 30 cm in some locations. The storm followed Cyclone Arnab, which had affected the same region days earlier.

Port signals were raised along the coast. Great Danger Signal Number X was hoisted at Nizampatnam and Vadarevu. Lower danger signals remained in force at other ports including Machilipatnam and Krishnapatnam. Fishermen had been advised to stay ashore. The system was forecast to weaken after landfall as it moved inland and interacted with land friction and an approaching upper-level trough.

The track and intensity forecasts carried high confidence from the IMD at the time of the final pre-landfall bulletins. Actual wind speeds, surge heights and rainfall totals will be measured after the system crosses the coast and moves inland.