Cyclone Murasu Intensifies and Moves Toward Andhra Pradesh Coast for Landfall on November 3

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu continued its west-northwest movement over the Bay of Bengal on November 2 and is forecast to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur early on November 3. The India Meteorological Department reported sustained winds of 100-110 kmph with gusts to 120 kmph at the time of landfall. The storm was centered about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai at 5:30 a.m. local time on November 2.

District collectors in Chennai and Tiruvallur ordered schools and colleges closed on November 2 because of heavy rain already falling. Similar closures were announced in several Andhra Pradesh districts. An orange alert covered six districts in Telangana and a yellow alert five more. Flights were cancelled or delayed at Chennai airport as the outer bands brought squalls.

Odisha authorities evacuated 1.52 lakh people from low-lying and landslide-prone areas ahead of the expected heavy rain. Five gates of the Hirakud dam were opened. The state government had already announced a relief package for damage from the earlier Cyclone Arnab. Officials said they were prepared to extend similar measures if Murasu produces comparable flooding.

The storm was named Murasu, which means war drum in Tamil. It intensified from a deep depression on November 1. Its track has remained consistent with the IMD forecast issued the previous day. Coastal districts from Nellore northward to Machilipatnam face the highest risk of storm surge and flooding. Inland areas of Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu can expect 100-200 mm of rain in 24 hours, with isolated higher totals.

Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore. The coast guard and navy have placed ships on standby for possible rescue. State disaster management teams pre-positioned equipment and medical supplies in the expected landfall zone. Power companies said they would cut supply in high-wind areas once gusts exceed safe thresholds to prevent electrocution from fallen lines.

Rainfall has already caused waterlogging in parts of Chennai and neighboring districts. Traffic moved slowly on several arterial roads. The IMD warned that the system could produce extremely heavy rain at isolated places even after landfall as it weakens over land. The storm is expected to lose intensity quickly once it moves inland, but residual moisture will keep rain chances high through November 4.

This is the second cyclonic system to affect the east coast in less than a week. Cyclone Arnab made landfall in late October and caused crop damage and localized flooding in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Recovery work from that storm was still under way when Murasu formed. Farmers in the delta regions have been told to secure livestock and move stored grain to higher ground.

Satellite imagery on November 2 showed a well-defined eye and dense convective bands. The IMD updates its position every three hours. The next major advisory is expected after the system crosses the coast. Local administrations have opened relief camps and asked residents in vulnerable villages to move before nightfall on November 2.

No deaths have been reported from Murasu as of the afternoon of November 2. Officials said the main risk remains flooding and wind damage to weak structures once the core reaches the coast. The combination of high tides and storm surge could inundate low-lying coastal stretches for several hours around landfall.

State governments have asked the central government for additional NDRF teams. The response will be assessed after the system clears the coast and damage surveys begin on November 3 and 4. For now, the focus remains on completing evacuations and keeping essential services ready for the period of strongest winds.