01. Key takeaways

Cyclone Murasu is forecast by the India Meteorological Department to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11:30 pm IST on 2 November and 4 am on 3 November 2026, as a severe cyclonic storm with winds of 100-110 kmph. Red alerts for extremely heavy rain are in force in five Andhra districts, and a storm surge of about 1 metre is possible in low-lying areas. This summary is based on IMD’s bulletins of 1 November.

This report is based on IMD bulletins issued on 1 November 2026. Forecasts can change; see mausam.imd.gov.in for the latest.

Cyclone Murasu is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and is expected to make landfall between the night of Monday, 2 November and the early hours of Tuesday, 3 November 2026, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It comes barely a week after Cyclone Arnab hit the region.

02. Where and when landfall is expected

The IMD said the storm is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11:30 pm on 2 November and 4 am on 3 November. Wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, are expected at landfall.

At 5:30 pm on 1 November, the storm was centred over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, about 420 km east-southeast of Chennai and 490 km east-southeast of Nellore, Hindustan Times reported, citing the IMD. The Hindu reported that initial estimates placed landfall near Bapatla, while noting the point could change.

03. Alerts in Andhra Pradesh

A red alert for extremely heavy rainfall is in place for 2 November in five districts: Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana on 2 and 3 November, with gusty winds of 80-90 kmph along the coast on both days.

The Times of India reported that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cancelled a planned Delhi visit because of the cyclone threat.

04. Storm surge and track after landfall

IMD’s all-India bulletin of 1 November warned that a storm surge of about 1 metre above the astronomical tide is very likely to flood low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh around landfall, with the highest surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

IMD’s forecast track shows the storm weakening after landfall: to a cyclonic storm by the morning of 3 November, a deep depression later that day, and a depression by 4 November as it moves north over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. IMD’s marine bulletin carried a cyclone warning for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts.

05. Alerts in Telangana

The Meteorological Centre in Hyderabad issued an orange alert (heavy to very heavy rain) for 2 November in Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy districts. A yellow alert (heavy rain) covers Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri. The Hindu reported that districts bordering Telangana have been placed on red alert for 3 November as the system moves inland.

06. Other states

The IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu on 1 and 2 November, and in south Odisha and Chhattisgarh on 3 and 4 November.

07. About the name

The name Murasu was proposed by India. It refers to a traditional drum in Tamil.

08. What residents should do

People in the alert districts should follow instructions from district administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority, avoid travel to the coast, and keep phones charged. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Official updates are posted at mausam.imd.gov.in.

Related: follow developing stories in Current Affairs and India.

09. FAQ

When will Cyclone Murasu make landfall?

IMD forecasts landfall between 11:30 pm IST on 2 November and 4 am IST on 3 November 2026.

Where will Cyclone Murasu cross the coast?

Between Nellore and Narsapur on the south Andhra Pradesh coast, close to Ongole, according to IMD.

Which districts are on red alert?

Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore in Andhra Pradesh have a red alert for 2 November.

What does the name Murasu mean?

The name was proposed by India and refers to a traditional drum in Tamil.

10. Sources