Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal
The storm is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph.
Cyclone Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the West Central and Southwest Bay of Bengal on November 2, 2026, according to The Hindu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the system was centred near Latitude 13.6°N and Longitude 82.5°E at 0230 hours IST.
The storm was located approximately 260 km east-northeast of Chennai, 290 km east-southeast of Nellore, and 330 km southeast of Ongole. The IMD stated the system may continue moving northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur near Ongole.
Wind speeds are expected to be between 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph. The landfall is likely to occur between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3, 2026.
In response to heavy rains, the Chennai and Tiruvallur District Collectors announced the closure of schools and colleges on Monday. In Telangana, an orange alert was issued for six districts and a yellow alert for five districts.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) notes that the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre New Delhi is responsible for naming cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea once they reach relevant intensity. Cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean are named cyclically by thirteen countries.