Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu Nears Andhra Pradesh Coast with Landfall Forecast for Early Tuesday

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved west-northwest at 25 kmph and lay centered at 5:30 am IST on 2 November near 13.9°N and 81.8°E, about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai, 210 km east-southeast of Nellore, and 260 km southeast of Ongole, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The department forecasts the storm will cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, from 11:30 pm IST on 2 November to 4:00 am IST on 3 November. Sustained winds are expected at 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

A storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall. The highest surge is forecast over Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.

Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2 and 3 November. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu.

Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu remained closed on 2 November. District collectors in several Andhra Pradesh coastal areas also ordered closures. Eleven flights to and from Chennai airport were cancelled, affecting routes to Vijayawada, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Tiruchi.

Five districts in Odisha—Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri—were placed on high alert. Parts of Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to receive heavy rainfall with gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph. The Odisha government ordered evacuations from low-lying areas and hilly terrain.

An orange alert was issued for six districts in Telangana and a yellow alert for five others. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea. Local authorities in coastal Andhra Pradesh moved fishing boats to safer locations as wave heights increased.

The name Murasu, meaning war drum in Tamil, was proposed by India. The system intensified from a deep depression on 1 November into a cyclonic storm and then a severe cyclonic storm by early 2 November. At 6:00 GMT on 2 November, some tracking services recorded sustained winds of 120 kmph and a central pressure of 991 mb.

National Disaster Response Force teams have been prepositioned in the affected states. The Airports Authority of India confirmed the flight cancellations in a statement. State disaster management authorities continue to monitor the system and issue updates on rainfall and wind.

Residents in low-lying coastal areas have been asked to move to relief shelters if needed. The India Meteorological Department will issue further bulletins as the storm approaches the coast.

The precise timing of landfall and the peak wind speeds will determine the extent of damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the coastal districts. Continuous monitoring of the track remains essential as the system moves inland after crossing the coast.