Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu Nears Landfall on South Andhra Pradesh Coast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is moving northwestward across the west-central Bay of Bengal and is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, between 2330 hours IST on 2 November and 0400 hours IST on 3 November 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts sustained winds of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph at landfall.

As of midday on 2 November, the system was centered near 14.2°N 81.0°E, approximately 110-120 km east-southeast of Nellore, 130 km southeast of Kavali, and 150-170 km northeast of Chennai. It moved west-northwest at 14 kmph in the preceding six hours. Earlier positions placed it farther east, consistent with the northwest track.

IMD expects a storm surge of 1.0-1.5 metres above astronomical tide to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh. The maximum peak surge is forecast over Bapatla and the Krishna and Prakasam districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh on 2-3 November, with heavy to very heavy falls more widely. Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, and parts of Chhattisgarh are also under rainfall alerts.

Schools and colleges closed in districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on 2 November. Chennai and Tiruvallur collectors ordered the closures due to heavy rain. Orange alerts cover several Telangana districts. NDRF teams have been deployed to Andhra Pradesh. Flights were cancelled in affected areas, with reports of at least 21 cancellations linked to the storm.

Murasu is an Indian-contributed name under the regional cyclone naming system and means war drum. It intensified from a deep depression on 1 November. After landfall, IMD expects it to weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 3 November, with winds dropping to 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph, then move north to north-northeast under the influence of an upper-level trough.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prepare for relief and rescue operations. District administrations in Bapatla and others have increased readiness for inflows and heavy rain. Coastal weather bulletins from Visakhapatnam and other ports warn of gale winds and rough to very rough seas. Port signals remain active.

The track carries high confidence from IMD for position, intensity, and landfall location. Storm surge guidance specifies the timing from evening of 2 November through morning of 3 November, with the peak overnight. Low-lying coastal zones face the primary inundation risk. Inland areas will see the heaviest rainfall as the system moves inland and weakens.

Previous cyclones in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season have produced similar wind and surge profiles when landfall occurs at severe cyclonic storm strength. Local authorities have issued evacuation guidance for vulnerable coastal stretches. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore. The system is not expected to retain severe intensity for long after crossing the coast.

Satellite imagery shows the circulation and associated cloud bands affecting the northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra coasts already. Rain has begun in coastal districts. The exact landfall point within the Nellore-Narsapur stretch will determine the concentration of highest winds and surge. Ongole remains the reference point closest to the expected crossing.

State governments in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha have activated control rooms. Relief materials are prepositioned. The IMD continues hourly updates. Residents in the forecast landfall zone have been told to secure loose objects and avoid low-lying areas during the peak surge window. The combination of wind, rain, and surge defines the main hazards through early 3 November.

Post-landfall weakening is standard for systems of this intensity interacting with land. Residual heavy rain can persist for a day or more as the remnant circulation moves inland. Agricultural and coastal infrastructure in Prakasam, Krishna, and adjacent districts face the most direct exposure. Monitoring continues until the system dissipates or moves well inland.