Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra Pradesh coast with 120 kmph winds expected at landfall

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved west-northwest at about 20-22 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal on November 2, 2026, and is expected to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11:30 pm IST on November 2 and 4:00 am IST on November 3.

The India Meteorological Department placed the storm near latitude 14.1°N and longitude 81.4°E at 8:30 am, roughly 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km northeast of Chennai and 180 km east-southeast of Kavali. Sustained winds at landfall are forecast at 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. A storm surge of about 1-2 metres, or up to 3.2-5 feet above the astronomical tide in low-lying areas, is expected along the south Andhra coast.

The system intensified from a deep depression on November 1. It was named Murasu by India under the regional cyclone naming list; the Tamil word means drum or war drum. This is the second cyclonic system to affect the east coast in quick succession after Cyclone Arnab earlier in the week.

Chennai and Tiruvallur district collectors declared holidays for schools and colleges on November 2 because of heavy rain. Orange alerts cover six Telangana districts and yellow alerts five more. Southern Odisha remains on high alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu contacted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for assistance with power restoration, as many poles are expected to be damaged.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh is forecast to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with isolated totals above 200 mm in 24 hours. Rain is also expected in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha and parts of Chhattisgarh. High waves of 10-16 feet are forecast on the East Godavari coast between Antarvedi and Perumallapuram from afternoon November 2 into November 3.

Disaster management teams in Bapatla, Prakasam and surrounding districts have begun moving boats and securing coastal infrastructure. The storm is expected to weaken after landfall as it moves inland. Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to move to higher ground where possible and to avoid the coastline until the system passes.

The timing places the strongest winds and surge during the night hours, when visibility is reduced and response is harder. Power outages and disruption to road and rail links are likely in the immediate landfall zone. Agricultural damage in coastal districts is also possible given the combination of wind and flooding rain so soon after the previous system.