Cyclone Murasu Intensifies and Heads for Andhra Pradesh Coast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved west-northwest at about 22 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2, 2026, centered roughly 160 km east-southeast of Nellore and 180 km northeast of Chennai. The India Meteorological Department expects it to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, between 11:30 p.m. IST on November 2 and 4:00 a.m. on November 3 with sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Murasu formed as a low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea on October 29, became a depression, and intensified into a cyclonic storm on November 1. It reached severe cyclonic storm status by late that day. Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS and other platforms showed a dense central cloud mass and spiral banding. The name Murasu, contributed by India, refers to a traditional Tamil drum used historically for public announcements.

The storm follows Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh less than a week earlier. IMD has issued warnings for 41 districts across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, southern Odisha, and northeast Tamil Nadu covering heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge of 1.5-2.0 meters above astronomical tide. Schools and colleges closed in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and several Andhra districts. An orange alert covers six Telangana districts and a yellow alert five more.

At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports. Eleven arrivals and departures at Chennai were also scrubbed. Fishermen have been advised to stay in port until at least November 4. Odisha authorities accelerated evacuations from vulnerable coastal areas. Rainfall measurements already showed 149.2 mm in 24 hours at Parrys in Chennai.

Position updates at 8:30 a.m. IST placed the center near 14.1°N, 81.4°E. By early afternoon it had slowed slightly while remaining on a northwest track. Forecast tables from IMD show the system weakening after landfall into a deep depression by the evening of November 3 and a depression by November 4. Peak surge is expected overnight into the early hours of November 3 along the coast south of Ongole.

Authorities in Prakasam, Nellore, and neighboring districts prepared shelters and cleared drainage. The previous cyclone had already saturated soils in parts of the region, raising the risk of flooding from additional heavy rain. Wind warnings extend into the southeast Bay of Bengal with gale-force gusts until midday November 2. Inland districts in south Chhattisgarh may see heavy to very heavy rain on November 3 and 4.

Murasu is the second named cyclone of the 2026 North Indian Ocean season. Its rapid intensification and proximity to a recently affected coastline have prompted preemptive closures and flight cancellations. Residents along the projected landfall zone stocked supplies and secured boats as cloud bands thickened over the coast on Monday morning.