Cyclone Murasu Makes Landfall Near Ongole on Andhra Pradesh Coast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu began its landfall process near Ongole in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of 3 November 2026. The India Meteorological Department reported that the system crossed the coast between Nellore and Narsapur with sustained winds of 100 to 110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph. A storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tide was expected to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the highest surge forecast over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

IMD bulletins placed the cyclone near latitude 15.1°N and longitude 80.4°E at 2330 hours IST on 2 November, about 50 km east-northeast of Kavali and 50 km southeast of Ongole. The system had moved north-northwestwards at 8 kmph in the preceding six hours. Outer spiral bands had already entered south coastal Andhra Pradesh, and the wall-cloud region was approaching the coastline. Landfall was projected to complete between 2330 hours IST on 2 November and 0400 hours IST on 3 November.

Murasu intensified from a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal into a cyclonic storm on 1 November and then into a severe cyclonic storm. The name Murasu, meaning war drum, was contributed by India under the regional cyclone-naming system. It followed a northwestward track steered by subtropical ridge anticyclones. Satellite analysis showed an elliptical eye roughly 40 km along the major axis and 30 km along the minor axis at landfall intensity.

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha closed schools and colleges in vulnerable districts. At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports. Fishermen were warned to stay ashore. The state government released relief funds and stepped up evacuations in low-lying coastal areas. Odisha and northern Tamil Nadu were also placed under alerts for heavy rainfall as the system approached.

After landfall the cyclone was expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 3 November, with winds falling to 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph. It was then forecast to turn north and north-northeast under the influence of an approaching upper-level trough. Extremely heavy rainfall remained likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November, with heavy to very heavy falls extending into Telangana, southern Odisha and parts of Chhattisgarh.

The track and intensity forecasts carried high confidence from the IMD. Doppler weather radars at Chennai and Machilipatnam maintained continuous surveillance. The system originated as a low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea on 29 October, at roughly the same time remnants of an earlier cyclone were dissipating inland. It organised into a cyclonic storm over the south-central Bay of Bengal on 1 November before continuing toward the Andhra coast.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh has experienced multiple cyclones in recent years. Murasu’s relatively compact eye and the timing of landfall near midnight reduced the window for final preparations but also limited the period of peak winds over any single location. Storm-surge inundation remains the primary concern for low-lying villages and agricultural land in Prakasam, Bapatla and Krishna districts. Railways cancelled or diverted trains as a precaution.

The event coincides with the ongoing northeast monsoon season over south India. Residual moisture from Murasu is expected to feed rainfall across the peninsula for another 24 to 48 hours after landfall. Authorities have advised residents to avoid coastal roads and low-lying areas until the surge recedes and drainage improves. Damage assessments will begin once the system moves inland and winds subside.

Murasu is the second named cyclone to affect the region in a short span. Its landfall near Ongole places the strongest winds and surge over districts that have seen repeated coastal flooding in past seasons. The combination of high winds, heavy rain and a 1-1.5 metre surge will test local infrastructure and evacuation plans that were activated on 1 and 2 November. Recovery will depend on how quickly the system weakens and how much additional rainfall falls over already saturated ground.