Cyclone Murasu Strengthens and Heads for Andhra Pradesh Landfall on November 3

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu intensified over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on November 1 and is forecast to make landfall on the morning of November 3 between Nellore and Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

The storm, named Murasu which means war drum, formed from a deep depression. By early November 2 it had strengthened further. Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS and other platforms showed a dense cloud cluster centered roughly 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km northeast of Chennai and 180 km east-southeast of Kavali.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu closed schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts on November 2 because of heavy rain associated with the system. An orange alert covers six districts in Telangana and a yellow alert covers five more for the same day. Southern Odisha remains on high alert. Storm warning flags have been hoisted at Pamban port.

Flights into and out of Chennai have faced cancellations. Local administrations in Nagarkurnool and Bapatla issued do’s and don’ts lists and began preparations for the expected impact. The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds and coastal flooding risks along the Andhra Pradesh shoreline and adjacent areas.

IMD tracking shows the storm moving northwestwards. Residents in the expected landfall zone have been advised to stay indoors, secure loose objects and monitor official updates. Evacuation plans for low-lying coastal areas are in place in several districts.

This is the latest cyclonic system of the 2026 North Indian Ocean season. Its rapid intensification and proximity to densely populated coastal districts have prompted coordinated responses from state disaster management authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

The exact landfall timing remains early morning on November 3 according to the latest IMD bulletins. Once it crosses the coast the system is expected to weaken as it moves inland, but residual heavy rain could continue into the following day in parts of the region.

Coastal communities between Nellore and Narsapur face the highest risk of storm surge and wind damage. Inland areas farther north in Telangana are preparing for intense rainfall that could trigger localized flooding. Power utilities and road departments have staged crews in advance.

Previous cyclones in the Bay of Bengal have shown that even systems of this intensity can disrupt transport, agriculture and daily life for several days after landfall. Authorities continue to refine forecasts as the storm approaches the coast.

The next 24 hours will determine the precise track and intensity at landfall. Continuous monitoring by the IMD and state agencies remains the primary source of updates for residents and local officials.