The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe cyclone alert for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts as Cyclonic Storm Murasu intensifies. Forecasts indicate Murasu will strengthen into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal by the morning of November 2, 2026, before making landfall.
Murasu's Path and Intensification
As of November 1, 2026, at 11:30 AM IST, the deep depression previously over the Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclonic Storm Murasu. Moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph, the storm was centered near Latitude 12.1°N and Longitude 85.3°E.
Murasu was approximately 560 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 630 km east-southeast of Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), and 660 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The IMD predicts it will continue its west-northwestward trajectory, intensifying further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by early November 2.
Expected Landfall and Impact
The system is then expected to shift northwestwards, crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a Severe Cyclonic Storm. Landfall is projected to occur between Nellore and Narsapur during the late night of November 2 (23:30 IST) and the early hours of November 3, 2026 (04:00 IST). During landfall, wind speeds are anticipated to range from 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.
In addition to strong winds, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is highly probable across south coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region over the next three days. The State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to official advisories.
This development follows Cyclone Arnab, marking another significant weather event in the Bay of Bengal within a short period, prompting heightened preparedness measures across the region.