A red warning has been issued along India’s southeastern coast as Cyclone Murasu intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal on November 2, 2026. According to the India Meteorological Department, the storm is moving northwestward and is forecast to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, during the night of November 2 to 3.
Packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour, the severe cyclone poses severe risks of torrential downpours, high storm surges, structural damage, and widespread agricultural losses across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.
As of the morning of November 2, the storm was positioned approximately 210 kilometers east southeast of Nellore and 260 kilometers southeast of Ongole. Coastal regions face storm surges of 1 to 1.5 meters above astronomical tides, which are expected to inundate low-lying areas in the Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts. After crossing the coast near Ongole, the system is expected to move inland and progressively weaken into a cyclonic storm by the afternoon of November 3, eventually degrading into a deep depression by November 4.
The name Murasu was suggested by India under the regional tropical cyclone naming framework managed by the India Meteorological Department. The word originates from Tamil culture, where it refers to a traditional war drum used historically to sound key announcements.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh remains under the highest state of alert, with extremely heavy rainfall expected over Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts. The storm is feared to cause extensive damage to thatched structures, standing paddy and horticultural crops, and electricity infrastructure, where preliminary estimates indicate over 15,000 power poles could be affected.
Neighbouring states are also experiencing severe weather. A red message warning covers the northern coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where wind speeds of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour are expected, prompting precautionary school closures in Chennai and Tiruvallur. Telangana has issued an orange alert for heavy downpours across Suryapet, Khammam, and Nalgonda, while southern Odisha remains on high watch for potential landslides and sudden flash flooding in hilly terrains.
In response to the approaching hazard, disaster management teams have been deployed across vulnerable zones, including six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams in Andhra Pradesh. Local authorities are executing targeted evacuations for residents living in weak homes and low-lying coastal belts.
A strict fishing ban remains in effect off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, northern Tamil Nadu, and southern Odisha until November 4, as marine conditions are extremely dangerous with wave heights reaching 9 to 14 meters in the west-central Bay of Bengal. Essential service departments, including power and telecommunications, have mobilized rapid repair squads to handle tree falls and network outages. Residents in the path of the storm are advised to remain indoors, stay away from waterlogged areas, and follow district emergency directives. Emergency aid remains reachable nationwide via the 112 helpline.