How Cyclone ‘Murasu’ was named? What does it mean and when will it intensify into 'severe' cyclonic storm? Details

“Murasu” is a Tamil word for a traditional percussion drum. It also refers to an ancient musical instrument. The name connects the storm with a cultural object that once carried messages across communities.

Historically, the murasu had an important social role. It was used to spread public information and make announcements across villages and kingdoms. Its sound helped communicate news before modern communication systems were available.

The cyclone’s name therefore reflects the word’s communication history. As Murasu approached Andhra Pradesh, its name became linked to public warnings about landfall, rain and dangerous winds. The article says it was expected to cross the coast near Ongole, with winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph. The article does not state who specifically selected the name.

In the IMD’s standard classification, a severe cyclonic storm has maximum sustained winds of 89–117 kmph. An ordinary cyclonic storm has sustained winds of 62–88 kmph. The categories describe wind strength, not the storm’s total size or rainfall alone.

The key mechanism is intensification. When a system’s sustained winds cross the higher threshold, it moves from the cyclonic-storm category into the severe category. Murasu was expected to strengthen over the West Central Bay of Bengal before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The distinction matters because stronger winds can create more dangerous conditions for people, buildings, trees, power lines and transport. The IMD forecast Murasu to cross the coast with winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts to 120 kmph. Those figures fall within the severe-storm range. The thresholds reflect established IMD classifications, while the article reports Murasu’s forecast intensity.

Cyclone Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur. The likely landfall point is close to Ongole in Prakasam district. This location places the storm’s strongest coastal impact near a populated stretch of Andhra Pradesh.

The IMD’s forecast window runs from 11:30 pm on November 2 to 4 am on November 3. At landfall, sustained winds are expected to reach 100–110 kmph. Gusts may rise to 120 kmph. Murasu was forecast to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm before crossing the coast.

As of 5:30 pm on November 1, the storm was about 420 km from Chennai and 490 km from Nellore. It was moving northwestwards at around 25 kmph over the Southwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal. These forecasts gave authorities a narrow but important period to prepare before the storm reached land.

The expected impact area stretches beyond the landfall point. The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rain across coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana on November 2 and 3. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam may receive extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places.

The red alert specifically covers five Andhra Pradesh districts: Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore. Coastal areas are also expected to experience gusty winds of 80–90 kmph on both days. Odisha is included in the wider preparedness picture because its chief minister chaired a review meeting in Bhubaneswar.

The article does not give a total area in square kilometres. Instead, it identifies states, regions, districts and warning zones. The spread shows that cyclone risk is not limited to the exact landfall location. Rain and winds can affect inland areas, neighbouring coastlines and places far from the storm’s centre, including parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema.

Murasu’s heavy rain could cause waterlogging, flooding and disruption, while strong winds could damage property, trees, power lines and transport. These are established hazards associated with severe tropical storms. The article specifically warns of extremely heavy rain in isolated parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and gusty coastal winds.

The IMD issued a red alert for Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore. Red alerts tell authorities and residents that very dangerous weather is expected and that urgent precautions are needed. Odisha’s chief minister held a high-level preparedness meeting, showing that planning extended beyond the forecast landfall district.

Officials also changed schedules because the storm threatened travel and public safety. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled a planned Delhi visit on Monday. The article does not list actual damage or casualties. It describes preparations before the forecast landfall, which was expected near Ongole between November 2 and 3.

Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named through the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific regional system. Member countries submit suggested names in advance. The names are reviewed and arranged into an agreed list.

When a qualifying storm forms, the responsible regional meteorological centre assigns the next available name from that list. Names are generally chosen to be short, distinctive and easy to use in warnings. They can come from the languages and cultures of participating countries. “Murasu” is a Tamil word for a traditional drum.

The article explains the cultural meaning of Murasu but does not describe the formal naming process. Under the established regional system, the name does not describe the storm’s strength or forecast path. It identifies the weather system clearly in bulletins, alerts and public communication. The name remains attached to that storm as it develops and moves.

A tropical cyclone begins over sufficiently warm ocean water. Warm water increases evaporation, adding moisture to the air. As moist air rises and condenses into clouds, it releases heat. That heat helps the air rise further and lowers pressure near the surface.

Lower pressure draws surrounding air inward. Earth’s rotation bends that moving air, creating a spinning circulation rather than a straight rush toward the centre. If the ocean remains warm and winds higher in the atmosphere do not disrupt the circulation, thunderstorms can organise around the low-pressure centre.

The system intensifies when rising moist air continues releasing heat and the central pressure falls. Stronger pressure differences then accelerate the winds. The article reports that Murasu was moving over the Southwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal and was expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm. The article does not explain this physical process; this explanation uses established meteorological knowledge.