Cyclone Murasu intensifies and nears landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu lies over the westcentral Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight on November 2 and early hours of November 3, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) places the landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, with sustained winds of 100 to 110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph.

As of 13:30 IST on November 2, the storm was centered near 14.2 degrees north and 81.0 degrees east, about 110 km east-southeast of Nellore, 130 km southeast of Kavali, and 150 km northeast of Chennai. It moved west-northwest at 14 kmph over the previous six hours. Earlier positions showed it about 160 km east-southeast of Nellore at 08:30 IST and farther east earlier in the day.

IMD rates confidence in the current position, track, and intensity as high. The system intensified into a severe cyclonic storm after moving northwestward from the southwest and westcentral Bay. Storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 meters above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh at landfall, with the highest surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3.

Districts in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have issued heavy rainfall alerts. Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu closed on November 2. An orange alert covers six Telangana districts and a yellow alert five more for Monday. Flights have been cancelled at airports near the expected landfall zone.

The name Murasu means war drum in Tamil. The system developed from a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal on November 1. Coastal bulletins from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata confirm the northwestward movement and the landfall window of 23:30 IST on November 2 to 04:00 IST on November 3. Port signals remain at distant warning levels in some locations, with rough to high sea conditions expected near the center.

Residents in low-lying coastal areas face risks of flooding from the surge and heavy rain. Local authorities have advised people to stay indoors and move to safer locations where possible. The storm is expected to weaken after landfall as it moves inland and turns north-northeast ahead of an upper-level trough.

This cyclone arrives as the northeast monsoon is active over southern India. IMD bulletins continue to update the position every few hours. The exact landfall point remains between Nellore and Narsapur to the south of Ongole. Coastal communities in Prakasam and surrounding districts have prepared for strong winds and possible inundation.

Previous cyclones in the Bay of Bengal have caused significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. Officials monitor river levels and drainage systems as heavy rain falls ahead of the center. The storm's core winds are concentrated near the center, with conditions deteriorating within 100 nautical miles of the center according to sea area bulletins.

No major casualties have been reported so far from the approaching system, though preparations continue in vulnerable districts. The IMD has issued a red message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts. Further updates will track the system after it crosses the coast and moves inland.