Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu Nears Landfall on Andhra Pradesh Coast

The India Meteorological Department placed Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu about 100-160 km east of the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 2, 2026, with landfall expected between 2330 IST on November 2 and 0400 IST on November 3 between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole.

At 1430 IST on November 2 the storm lay near 14.25°N 80.95°E. It sat roughly 110 km east-southeast of Nellore, 130 km southeast of Kavali, 150 km north-northeast of Chennai, 170 km southeast of Ongole and 190 km south-southeast of Bapatla. Maximum sustained winds reached 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. The system moved west-northwest at 10-25 kmph through the day.

IMD issued a Red Message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu. A storm surge of 1.0-1.5 m above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh at landfall. Peak surge is expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2-3.

Schools and colleges closed in Chennai, Tiruvallur and several Andhra districts. Authorities cancelled at least 19-21 domestic flights at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. Orange alerts covered six Telangana districts and yellow alerts five more. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prepare relief and rescue operations. Tamil Nadu collectors ordered high alert for heavy rain.

The deep depression intensified into a cyclone named Murasu, meaning war drum, on November 1 over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. It strengthened to severe cyclonic storm status early on November 2. After landfall the system is expected to turn north then north-northeast under the influence of an upper tropospheric trough.

Coastal bulletins from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata described gale winds of 45-60 knots around the centre, widespread rain with isolated heavy falls, and poor visibility. Port signals and distant warning signals remained hoisted at several Andhra and Tamil Nadu ports. Fishing boats stayed at harbours in Chennai and elsewhere as seas turned rough to very rough north of 12°N.

The name Murasu follows the pre-agreed list for the North Indian Ocean. IMD rates confidence in the current position, track and intensity as high. The storm formed part of the 2026 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Previous systems earlier in the year had already tested coastal preparedness along the same stretch of coast.

Local administrations moved people from vulnerable low-lying areas in Prakasam, Nellore and Bapatla districts. Power restoration teams from Tamil Nadu were readied for Andhra. The combination of high winds, surge and extremely heavy rain creates risks of flash flooding, tree falls and disruption to road and rail links between Nellore and Machilipatnam.

IMD bulletins continued through the afternoon of November 2 with updates every few hours. The final landfall timing and exact point will depend on small changes in the northwestward motion. Once inland the system is expected to weaken as it moves north under the influence of the approaching trough.

Residents along the south Andhra coast faced the prospect of overnight gale-force winds and rising water. The warning period runs through the early hours of November 3. Subsequent bulletins will track the storm’s movement after it crosses the coast.