Cyclone Murasu Intensifies, Heads for Andhra Pradesh Landfall on November 3

Cyclonic storm Murasu has intensified over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and is moving west-northwestwards at about 25 kmph. The India Meteorological Department placed its centre near latitude 12.7°N and longitude 84.1°E at 1730 hours IST on 1 November 2026, roughly 420 km east-southeast of Chennai.

IMD expects the system to become a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay by early hours of 2 November. Thereafter it is likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole in Prakasam district. The crossing is forecast for midnight of 2 November to early hours of 3 November, specifically between 2330 hours IST on the 2nd and 0400 hours IST on the 3rd.

The name Murasu means war drum. It is the second cyclonic system to form over the Bay of Bengal in quick succession after Cyclone Arnab. Fishermen along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra coasts have been advised to stay ashore. Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh have begun preparations for heavy rain, strong winds and possible storm surge.

In Tamil Nadu, the Chennai and Tiruvallur district collectors announced that schools and colleges would remain closed on 2 November because of heavy rain associated with the system. An orange alert covers six districts of Telangana and a yellow alert covers five more for the same day. Andhra Pradesh has listed more than 20 mandals likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall, with the highest concentrations expected in Eluru, Krishna and NTR districts.

Preliminary estimates by the state power department indicate that strong winds could damage around 15,128 electricity poles across 12 districts. Reservoirs in the Krishna and Godavari basins are being monitored for rapid inflows. The India Meteorological Department has issued successive bulletins tracking the system’s movement and intensity, each confirming further strengthening and the projected landfall window.

Residents of low-lying coastal areas have begun moving to safer locations. Local administrations have opened relief camps and pre-positioned emergency supplies. The storm’s track keeps it clear of the Myanmar coast, where authorities have placed it on yellow stage and do not expect a direct threat.

Satellite imagery shows the system consolidating with a developing central dense overcast. Pressure has fallen and wind speeds have risen steadily over the past 24 hours. The next 24 to 36 hours will determine the exact intensity at landfall and the distribution of heaviest rainfall inland.

State governments in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have activated disaster management protocols. The National Disaster Response Force has been alerted for possible deployment. Road, rail and air traffic in the expected path may face temporary disruptions once the storm approaches the coast.

Further bulletins from the India Meteorological Department will refine the track and intensity forecasts as the system continues its approach. Coastal communities and inland districts under alert are watching the midnight-to-early-morning landfall window on 2-3 November.