Cyclone Murasu Approaches South Andhra Pradesh Coast, Landfall Expected Overnight

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu, centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2, is moving northwest toward the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The India Meteorological Department expects landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, between 11:30 p.m. IST on November 2 and 4:00 a.m. on November 3.

At 1:30 p.m. IST the storm was located about 110 km east-southeast of Nellore, with maximum sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph. It has been moving west-northwest at roughly 14 kmph. Satellite imagery shows organized spiral banding and a central dense overcast. The central pressure was estimated near 986 hPa.

The IMD has issued a red warning for coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu. A storm surge of 1.5 to 2.0 metres above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh at landfall, with the highest surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3.

Authorities in Chennai and Tiruvallur ordered schools and colleges closed on November 2 because of heavy rain from the outer bands. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu coordinated with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on cross-border preparations. Fishermen along the Palepalem and Kothapatnam coasts moved boats to safer ground as seas rose.

Twenty-one flights were cancelled at Chennai and Gannavaram airports. The Airports Authority of India listed cancellations involving Vijayawada, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Tiruchi routes. Coastal districts remain under alert for wind damage to thatched structures, power lines, and weak buildings.

Murasu formed as a low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea on October 29 and intensified into a cyclonic storm on November 1. It follows Cyclone Arnab, which affected the same coast less than a week earlier. The rapid succession has stretched local disaster-management resources. The IMD rates confidence in the track and intensity forecasts as high.

After landfall the system is expected to weaken and turn north then north-northeast ahead of an upper-level trough. Residual heavy rain could affect Telangana, southern Odisha, and parts of Chhattisgarh on November 3 and 4. Orange alerts cover six Telangana districts and yellow alerts cover five others.

The name Murasu, meaning war drum, was contributed by Malaysia under the regional naming list. The storm's compact structure and interaction with the subtropical ridge have slowed its forward speed as it approaches the coast, increasing the duration of strong winds and surge over any given point.

Residents in Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla districts have been advised to stay indoors after dark, secure loose objects, and avoid coastal roads. State disaster-response forces have pre-positioned teams. Power utilities are preparing for outages in coastal blocks.

The India Meteorological Department continues hourly updates. The next significant change in the forecast would come if the system stalls or intensifies further before crossing the coast. For now the expected landfall window and wind speeds remain consistent across successive bulletins.