Cyclone Murasu Intensifies and Heads for Andhra Pradesh Coast

Landfall Window and Current Position

The India Meteorological Department reported on the morning of 2 November that Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu lay centered about 180 km northeast of Chennai and 160 km east-southeast of Nellore. It moved west-northwest at 22 kmph over the previous six hours. The system is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, from 2330 IST on 2 November to 0400 IST on 3 November.

Sustained winds at landfall are forecast at 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. A storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest surge is expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

Preparations Across Coastal Districts

Schools and colleges closed in Chennai, Tiruvallur and several Andhra Pradesh districts on 2 November. Orange alerts cover six Telangana districts and yellow alerts five more. Fishermen have moved boats inland along the Palepalem and Kothapatnam coasts. Authorities in Rayagada, Odisha, deployed 11 fire station teams and prepared for possible landslides and evacuations.

The name Murasu, meaning war drum, was contributed by India under the regional cyclone naming system. After landfall the storm is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 3 November, with winds falling to 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, then turn north-northeast ahead of an upper-level trough.

Rainfall and Broader Impacts

Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November. Heavy to very heavy rain is also forecast for parts of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. High waves of 10-16 feet are expected along the East Godavari coast between Antarvedi and Perumallapuram from afternoon 2 November until late morning 3 November.

IMD rates confidence in the current position, track and intensity as high. The system intensified from a deep depression on 1 November while moving northwestward at about 20 kmph. Earlier positions placed it roughly 260 km east-northeast of Chennai at 0230 IST on 2 November.

Historical Context and Ongoing Monitoring

Bay of Bengal cyclones in early November have previously brought significant coastal flooding and agricultural damage to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. District collectors have activated control rooms and advised residents in low-lying areas to move to safer locations. Coastal weather bulletins from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata continue to issue squally weather warnings for the north Andhra coast, with winds of 20-25 knots gusting to 30 knots and poor visibility in thundershowers.

The landfall timing places the strongest winds over the coast during overnight hours, when evacuation is more difficult. Local administrations have stocked emergency supplies and coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force. Updates from IMD at 0830 IST confirmed the storm remained a severe cyclonic storm at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 81.4°E, 210 km southeast of Ongole.

Residents along the projected track are advised to complete preparations before evening on 2 November. Post-landfall weakening will reduce wind threat but prolong heavy rainfall risks inland through 3 and 4 November.