Cyclone Murasu Intensifies into Severe Cyclonic Storm, Andhra Pradesh Coast on Red Alert

CNB WORLD TIMES

Status of Cyclone Murasu

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu has intensified over the Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal, triggering a high-level weather alert along the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts.

According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin, the cyclone moved nearly northwestwards at a speed of 20 kmph during the past six hours. At 2:30 AM IST on November 2, 2026, it was centred near latitude 13.6°N and longitude 82.5°E over the same region.

The storm was located approximately 260 km east-northeast of Chennai, 290 km east-southeast of Nellore, 320 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 310 km east-southeast of Kavali, 330 km southeast of Ongole and 470 km south of Visakhapatnam.

Cyclone Murasu Landfall Forecast

The IMD has forecast that Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu will continue moving northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a Severe Cyclonic Storm.

Landfall is expected between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, around midnight (11:30 PM IST) on November 2 and during the early hours (up to 4:00 AM IST) on November 3.

At the time of landfall, the cyclone is likely to produce maximum sustained wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.

Heavy Rainfall Warning for Several States

The cyclone is expected to bring widespread rainfall, including heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several states.

·         Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2 and 3. Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on November 4.

·         Tamil Nadu: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2 and 3.

·         South Odisha: Heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2, increasing to heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 3 and 4.

·         Rayalaseema: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2 and 3.

·         Telangana: Heavy rainfall at isolated places from November 2 to 4, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3.

·         Chhattisgarh: Heavy rainfall over South Chhattisgarh on November 2, followed by heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3 and 4.

Wind Speed Warning and Coastal Alerts

Strong gale-force winds are prevailing over the Bay of Bengal and are expected to intensify further as the cyclone approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast, including Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, SPS Nellore, Guntur, Eluru, NTR, Palnadu and West Godavari districts, wind speeds are forecast to increase progressively.

Winds may reach 65–75 kmph, gusting to 85 kmph, by noon on November 2. They are expected to strengthen to 80–90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph, by the evening and reach 100–110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, around midnight on November 2 and during the early hours of November 3.

Wind speeds are expected to gradually decrease after landfall.

Expected Weakening of Cyclone Murasu

According to the IMD forecast, the system is likely to gradually weaken after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast.

·         November 2: Severe Cyclonic Storm, with winds reaching 100–110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph.

·         November 3: Expected to weaken into a Cyclonic Storm, with winds of 80–90 kmph, and subsequently into a Deep Depression, with winds of 50–60 kmph.

·         November 4: Likely to weaken further into a Depression, with wind speeds of 35–45 kmph and gusts up to 55 kmph.

IMD Issues Red Message for Andhra Pradesh Coast

With Cyclone Murasu intensifying and approaching the south Andhra Pradesh coast, the IMD has issued a Red Message for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts.

Residents in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas should closely follow official weather bulletins and instructions issued by local authorities. Fishermen and people involved in marine activities should strictly follow the warnings regarding strong winds and rough sea conditions.

The next few hours will be crucial as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, bringing the possibility of damaging winds and extremely heavy rainfall across several regions.