Severe Cyclone Murasu Approaches Andhra Pradesh Coast for Overnight Landfall

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved northwestward over the west-central Bay of Bengal on Monday and is forecast to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 2330 IST on 2 November and 0400 IST on 3 November. The India Meteorological Department placed sustained winds at landfall at 100-110 kmph with gusts to 120 kmph.

At 1330 IST the centre lay near 14.2°N 81.0°E, roughly 110 km east-southeast of Nellore and 170 km southeast of Ongole. The system had intensified from a deep depression on 1 November. It carries the name Murasu, contributed by India under the regional cyclone naming list; the word means war drum in Tamil.

IMD warned of a storm surge of 1.0-1.5 m above astronomical tide along low-lying stretches of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the highest values expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely over coastal Andhra on 2 and 3 November, with heavy falls also possible in adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. Schools and colleges closed in multiple districts across three states. Flights were cancelled in Chennai, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Andhra Pradesh authorities began evacuating people from vulnerable coastal areas. The state disaster management authority said roughly 2,000 people had already moved and that the target could reach 30,000. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to keep relief and rescue teams ready. The storm arrives less than a week after Cyclone Arnab, which caused deaths and damage in the same broad region.

The track places the landfall zone between Nellore and Narsapur. After crossing, the system is expected to weaken and recurve north-northeast. Fishermen have moved boats inland along the Palepalem and other coasts. Orange and yellow alerts cover districts in Telangana and Tamil Nadu for heavy rain even as the core remains offshore until late Monday night.

The timing leaves coastal districts with a narrow window for final preparations. Storm surge and heavy rain pose the main immediate risks to low-lying settlements and agricultural land. Authorities have pre-positioned National Disaster Response Force teams and opened shelters. The next IMD updates will track any change in intensity or exact landfall point as the system closes the final 100-150 km to the coast.