Cyclone Murasu Heads for Landfall on South Andhra Pradesh Coast

Current position and forecast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu was centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2, 2026, approximately 120 to 160 kilometers east-southeast of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletins. The system moved west-northwest at 14 to 22 kmph in the preceding hours. IMD forecasts landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, from 2330 IST on November 2 to 0400 IST on November 3, as a severe cyclonic storm with sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

A storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 meters above astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the highest surge forecast over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3. The IMD has issued a red message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu.

Preparations and disruptions

Schools and colleges closed in several districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on November 2 as a precaution. Orange alerts were issued in six Telangana districts and yellow alerts in five others. Flights were cancelled in the region, including more than 20 in some reports. Coastal areas in Odisha also stepped up preparations for possible secondary effects.

Murasu is the name contributed by India under the regional cyclone naming system and means "war drum." The storm intensified from a deep depression on November 1. After landfall, IMD expects it to turn north and then north-northeast ahead of an approaching upper-level trough.

Impacts already observed

Heavy rain had already begun affecting parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh by Monday morning, with waterlogging reported in Chennai and neighboring districts. Local authorities advised residents in low-lying and coastal zones to move to safer locations. Fishing activities were suspended. The IMD rates confidence in the current position, track, and intensity as high.

The landfall window places the strongest winds and surge risk along the southern Andhra coast overnight into early Tuesday. District administrations in Nellore, Prakasam, and neighboring areas have activated emergency plans. Residents in the affected districts face the dual threat of high winds and flooding from both the surge and inland rainfall.