Cyclone Murasu Makes Landfall in Andhra Pradesh, Causes Two Deaths and Crop Damage

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Prakasam districts late on November 2 and early on November 3, 2026. The system weakened into a deep depression by November 3 and continued moving inland.

At least two people died in the state when houses collapsed. Preliminary assessments put economic losses at Rs 344 crore. Crops on more than 52,000 hectares were damaged, mainly in Prakasam, Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu, and Nandyal districts. More than 300 houses sustained damage, and roughly 31,000 electric poles were affected. Power was disrupted in more than 4,000 villages.

The India Meteorological Department tracked Murasu as it intensified over the Bay of Bengal. It reached peak intensity near landfall with winds of 100 to 110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h. The eye crossed the coast closest to Chinaganjam. By the morning of November 3 the system had weakened to a cyclonic storm and later to a deep depression near the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border.

Heavy rainfall accompanied the storm. Bapatla recorded 22 cm in one 24-hour period. Other stations in coastal districts reported 13 to 20 cm. The IMD had warned 45 districts across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, southern Odisha, and northeastern Tamil Nadu of heavy rain, strong winds, and possible storm surge.

Authorities cancelled or diverted trains and flights serving Chennai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati. The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission postponed the counting of results for several urban local body elections, including Ongole Municipal Corporation and municipalities in Chimakurthy, Addanki, Darsi, Repalle, and Chirala.

As of November 4, more than 12,000 people remained in cyclone shelters. State disaster management officials continued monitoring minor irrigation tanks, with hundreds placed on high alert. Rescue and restoration work focused on clearing fallen trees, restoring power lines, and assessing agricultural losses.

The IMD forecast additional heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 4. The deep depression was expected to weaken further into a low-pressure area within 12 hours. Residual flooding and saturated soil continued to affect low-lying areas.

Murasu was the latest named system in the 2026 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Its compact structure and rapid intensification near the coast limited the duration of peak winds but concentrated heavy rainfall over a relatively narrow corridor. Agricultural damage is expected to affect the current kharif harvest and subsequent rabi preparations in the hardest-hit districts.

State and central agencies have begun damage assessment for relief and compensation. Full figures on livestock losses, road damage, and longer-term crop impacts will be compiled in the coming days as the system dissipates.