Cyclone Murasu Intensifies and Heads for Andhra Pradesh Coast Overnight

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole between 11:30 p.m. on 2 November and 4:00 a.m. on 3 November 2026, with sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

The India Meteorological Department said the system was moving northwestwards at about 22 kmph. At 03:00 UTC on 2 November it was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal near 14.1°N, 81.4°E, roughly 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km northeast of Chennai, 180 km east-southeast of Kavali, 210 km southeast of Ongole, and 240 km south of Machilipatnam. Earlier positions placed it farther east.

Odisha has accelerated evacuations from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas even though the landfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri will see heavy rain. More than 300 rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and state fire service have been pre-positioned. Indian Railways cancelled nine trains as a precaution along the Andhra coast.

The IMD expects light to moderate rain at most places in coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November, with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy rain at isolated locations. Tamil Nadu is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places on 2 November. South Odisha will see heavy rain at isolated places on 2 November, intensifying on 3 and 4 November.

Murasu intensified from a cyclonic storm into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal early on 2 November. The forecast track takes it across the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. After landfall the system is expected to weaken as it moves inland. Storm surge and heavy rainfall remain the primary hazards along the immediate coastal stretch; inland flooding and landslides are possible in hilly southern Odisha districts.

State governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have issued alerts for fishermen and advised against sea travel. Coastal shelters have been prepared. The precise timing of landfall within the overnight window will determine which specific taluks experience the strongest winds. The IMD continues to issue updates every few hours as the system approaches the coast.

Previous cyclones in the same region have produced significant rainfall totals even when the core of the storm remains offshore. Murasu’s current intensity and forward speed give authorities a clear window for final evacuations and for securing ports and fishing harbours. The confirmed forecast elements are the landfall zone near Ongole, the overnight timing on 2-3 November, the wind speeds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120, and the pre-positioning of rescue teams in Odisha.