Cyclone Murasu intensifies into severe storm near Andhra Pradesh coast
The storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur by early November 3 with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu has intensified over the Bay of Bengal and is projected to make landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is expected to cross the coastline between late midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3, reports Mathrubhumi and OTV.
The system was moving northwest at 20 kmph as of early November 2. At 2:30 am IST, the storm was positioned roughly 260 km from Chennai, 290 km from Nellore, 320 km from Machilipatnam, 310 km from Kavali, 330 km from Ongole, and 470 km from Visakhapatnam.
Meteorologists expect the storm to bring sustained wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts potentially hitting 120 kmph. The landfall is anticipated to occur between Nellore and Narsapur, specifically between 11:30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3.
In Rayagada, Odisha, the administration has increased emergency readiness. Additional District Magistrate (General) Ravindranath Kahanra stated that 11 fire service teams and heavy machinery, including JCBs and excavators, have been deployed to assist with rescue and road clearance along National Highway 326.
The district is under a yellow warning until November 2, which will upgrade to an orange alert for November 3 and 4. Meanwhile, fishermen in Paradip have been advised not to go to sea until November 4, 2026.