Where will Cyclone Murasu make landfall?

The IMD forecast landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between about 11:30 pm on 2 November and 4 am on 3 November 2026.

How strong is Cyclone Murasu?

It is a severe cyclonic storm. The IMD forecast sustained winds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, around landfall. Some reports said it could intensify further before crossing the coast.

What does Murasu mean?

Murasu is a Tamil word for a war drum. The name was contributed by India to the list of cyclone names used for the north Indian Ocean.

Are schools closed because of Cyclone Murasu?

Schools and colleges were closed in Chennai and Tiruvallur on 2 November, and some districts in southern Odisha closed schools and colleges until 3 November. Check your district collector's announcements for updates.

Which Andhra Pradesh districts will get the heaviest rain?

Forecasts for 3 November put the highest average rainfall in Eluru (about 179 mm), Krishna (163 mm), NTR (161 mm), West Godavari (147 mm), Guntur (119 mm) and Bapatla (104 mm). Twenty mandals were flagged for extremely heavy rain.

Cyclone Murasu: Landfall Near Ongole, Rain Alerts in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Odisha, Explained

Cyclone Murasu, a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, is heading for the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects it to cross the coast overnight on 2-3 November 2026, barely a week after Cyclone Arnab battered the same coastline.

The 60-second version

What: Severe cyclonic storm Murasu over the west-central and southwest Bay of Bengal.
Landfall: Between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between about 11:30 pm on 2 November and 4 am on 3 November.
Winds: 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph.
Rain: Heavy to very heavy rain in coastal Andhra Pradesh on 3-4 November, plus alerts in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Odisha.
Schools: Closed in Chennai and Tiruvallur on 2 November and in parts of southern Odisha until 3 November.
Context: Cyclone Arnab hit Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on 28 October with winds of up to 150 kmph.

Where the storm is and where it is going

At 2:30 am IST on 2 November, the IMD placed the centre of Murasu near 13.6 degrees North, 82.5 degrees East, moving north-west at about 20 kmph. That put it roughly:

From	Distance
Chennai	About 260 km east-north-east
Nellore	About 290 km east-south-east
Kavali	About 310 km east-south-east
Machilipatnam	About 320 km south-south-east
Ongole	About 330 km south-east
Visakhapatnam	About 470 km south

The storm was forecast to keep moving north-west and cross the coast near Ongole with winds of up to 110 kmph. Some reports said it could strengthen further before landfall, so watch the latest IMD bulletin.

This article is based on forecasts issued on 2 November. Landfall details, damage and rainfall totals will only be confirmed after the storm crosses the coast.

State-by-state rain alerts

Andhra Pradesh

2 November: moderate to heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy falls, in south and central coastal districts.
3-4 November: heavy to very heavy rain.
20 mandals flagged for extremely heavy rain: nine in Eluru, five each in Krishna and NTR, and one in Bapatla.

Forecast average rainfall on 3 November:

District	Expected rain
Eluru	About 179 mm
Krishna	About 163 mm
NTR	About 161 mm
West Godavari	About 147 mm
Guntur	About 119 mm
Bapatla	About 104 mm

Tamil Nadu

2 November: heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Chennai and Tiruvallur; heavy rain in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris.
3 November: rain eases, with heavy rain only at isolated places in the Nilgiris.

Telangana (2 November)

Orange alert: Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy.
Yellow alert: Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri.

Odisha

Rain from 2 November, intensifying on 3 November and continuing through 4 November, according to the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre. Southern districts have stepped up preparations.

How governments are preparing

Andhra Pradesh: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cancelled a planned Delhi visit to review rainfall and wind forecasts and reservoir levels. Coastal districts have positioned fire teams and heavy machinery at key points.
NDRF: Three teams from Arakonam in Tamil Nadu were sent to Andhra Pradesh for rescue and relief, according to The Week.
Odisha: Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state was fully prepared and asked people not to panic.
Flights: IndiGo issued a travel advisory for Visakhapatnam, warning of possible delays.

Two cyclones in a week

Murasu follows Cyclone Arnab, which hit the Andhra Pradesh coast and Odisha on 28 October with winds of up to 150 kmph and left heavy damage in coastal districts. Odisha's death toll from Arnab had risen to six, according to reports on 2 November. With soil already saturated and reservoirs full, a second round of heavy rain raises the risk of flooding and waterlogging even from a weaker storm.

What Murasu means

Murasu is a Tamil word for a war drum. It was contributed by India to the list of names used for cyclones in the north Indian Ocean, which countries in the region take turns to supply.

Safety checklist if you live in the alert areas

Follow IMD bulletins (mausam.imd.gov.in) and your district collector's announcements.
Stay indoors during landfall and avoid the coast. Fishers should not go out to sea.
Keep phones and power banks charged, and store drinking water, torches and basic medicines.
Move away from weak structures, hoardings and trees.
Do not walk or drive through flooded roads or underpasses.

Sources: IMD forecasts as reported by India TV News and The Week (2 November 2026), IndiGo's travel advisory, and statements by the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha governments. Figures are forecasts and may change.