Cyclone Murasu Intensifies, Set for Andhra Pradesh Landfall Overnight

Cyclonic Storm Murasu strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal early on 2 November 2026 and is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, during the midnight hours of 2 November into the early morning of 3 November. The India Meteorological Department placed the system near 13.6°N and 82.5°E at 2:30 am IST, roughly 260 km east-northeast of Chennai and 330 km southeast of Ongole, moving northwest at about 20 kmph.

IMD forecasts sustained surface winds of 100 to 110 kmph with gusts to 120 kmph at landfall. Storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the peak expected over Bapatla and parts of Krishna and Prakasam districts. Andhra Pradesh has positioned six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams across Krishna, Bapatla, Guntur, Nellore, Prakasam and adjacent districts. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to keep relief and rescue assets ready after a briefing that identified the probable crossing point near Bapatla.

The name Murasu, meaning war drum in Tamil, was assigned from the list maintained by the World Meteorological Organization’s regional panel. The system formed as a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal on 1 November and intensified rapidly while tracking west-northwest. At 14:30 IST on 1 November it lay near 12.4°N, 84.6°E, about 480 km east-southeast of Chennai. By early 2 November it had reached severe cyclonic storm strength. Earlier forecasts had projected a slightly more southern track; the latest positions shift the expected landfall zone toward Ongole.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for south and central coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November, with isolated extremely heavy falls. Districts including Eluru, Krishna, NTR, West Godavari, Guntur and Bapatla are expected to record average accumulations of 100–180 mm on 3 November. Orange alerts cover six Telangana districts and yellow alerts five others for 2 November. In Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Tiruvallur district collectors ordered schools and colleges closed on 2 November because of heavy rain associated with the outer bands. Port signals have been raised: local cautionary signal number III at Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Kakinada and Gangavaram.

This is the second cyclone to affect the Andhra coast in less than a week. Cyclone Arnab made landfall on 28 October and produced widespread damage along the same stretch of coast. Murasu’s tighter track and higher peak winds raise the risk of renewed flooding in areas still clearing debris and repairing infrastructure. Fishing operations remain suspended along the south Andhra and north Tamil Nadu coasts. Coastal residents have been advised to stay indoors during the landfall window and to move to higher ground if surge reaches their localities.

The system is expected to weaken after crossing the coast and move inland as a cyclonic storm before dissipating over Telangana and adjoining areas by 4 November. Residual heavy rain is likely to persist over Rayalaseema and parts of Telangana through 4 November. IMD continues to issue six-hourly updates; the next major revision is expected after the system makes landfall. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have pre-positioned relief supplies and activated control rooms. The precise timing of landfall and the distribution of extreme rainfall will determine the scale of disruption to roads, power and agriculture in the affected districts.