Cyclonic storm Murasu to make landfall close to Ongole

Cyclone Murasu is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Ongole. The India Meteorological Department forecast landfall in the early hours of November 3, making the Ongole area the main focus of preparations. The storm’s expected path also puts several nearby coastal and inland districts on alert.

At 5.30 p.m., Murasu was over the Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal. It was about 530 kilometres southeast of Ongole and 490 kilometres east-southeast of Nellore. The system was moving toward the A.P. coast and could strengthen before reaching land.

The IMD said Murasu may intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm in the early hours of November 2. Authorities have deployed NDRF and SDRF teams across likely affected districts, while additional teams remain available. Schools and colleges in NTR and Guntur announced holidays on November 2.

A cyclonic storm is a rotating tropical weather system with strong winds around a lower-pressure centre. In India Meteorological Department terminology, a cyclonic storm has maximum sustained winds of 62 to 88 kmph. It can produce heavy rain, damaging winds, rough seas and flooding.

A Severe Cyclonic Storm is the next stronger category. Its maximum sustained winds are generally 89 to 117 kmph. The higher wind speed can increase damage to roofs, trees, power lines, roads and other infrastructure. These standard categories explain why a change in classification matters for emergency planning.

The article says Murasu may intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal in the early hours of November 2. It forecasts winds of 100 to 120 kmph near landfall. The article does not explain the classification system; these definitions come from established IMD usage.

The IMD expects Cyclone Murasu to reach the coast with winds of 100 to 120 kmph. That is strong enough to make coastal conditions dangerous and to threaten exposed structures, trees, power lines and travel. The forecast applies to the expected landfall near Ongole in the early hours of November 3.

Rainfall could be especially intense in parts of Andhra Pradesh. The article forecasts isolated extremely heavy rain at one or two locations in Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts on Monday. “Isolated” means the worst rainfall may be concentrated in only a few places rather than spread across every location.

The rainfall forecast and strong-wind forecast explain the wide emergency deployment. NDRF and SDRF teams are positioned in several districts, not just Ongole. NTR and Guntur also announced school and college holidays for November 2. Conditions could change as Murasu strengthens.

When a powerful cyclone reaches the coast, people may face dangerous winds, intense rain, flooding and difficult travel. Buildings with weak roofs or structures can be damaged. Falling trees, flying debris and rough conditions can endanger residents, especially near the coast and in low-lying areas.

The forecast provides the main warning signs. Murasu could bring 100 to 120 kmph winds near Ongole and isolated extremely heavy rain in parts of six districts. Such conditions can block roads, slow trains and other transport, and make emergency access harder. Strong winds and falling trees can also damage power lines, causing electricity outages.

These are likely cyclone hazards, not impacts confirmed by the article. The reported response is preventive: NDRF and SDRF teams have been placed across several districts, schools and colleges announced holidays in NTR and Guntur, and officials opened emergency contact channels. Actual damage will depend on the storm’s final path and intensity.

A cyclone’s strongest effects are not limited to the precise point where its centre crosses the coast. Heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and blocked routes can affect several districts along and inland from the storm’s track. Distributed rescue teams can therefore reach emergencies faster and support more communities.

The State has deployed six NDRF teams and seven SDRF teams. According to APSDMA information, two teams each were stationed in Krishna, Bapatla, Guntur, Nellore and Prakasam. One team each was deployed in Markapuram, Palnadu and Tirupati. The article also says additional teams are available if required.

This arrangement reflects preparedness for a regional event rather than a single-point emergency. It also allows officials to respond if the forecast track shifts or rain becomes severe away from Ongole. The article does not give a detailed operational reason for every placement, but the locations cover districts identified as potentially affected.

The striking fact is the timing: Andhra Pradesh is facing its second cyclonic storm in less than a week. That creates a rapid succession of threats for residents, local administrations and emergency services. Communities may have less time to recover, repair damage or restore disrupted services between storms.

The article identifies Murasu as the second storm in this short period. It does not name the earlier storm, describe its damage or provide a historical average for cyclone frequency in Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, the available evidence supports saying the events are closely spaced, but not calculating how rare they are over many years.

The immediate consequence is heightened preparedness. NDRF and SDRF teams are spread across districts, schools and colleges in NTR and Guntur announced a holiday, and officials provided helplines. Additional response teams can be deployed if conditions worsen or the storm affects more areas than expected.

Tropical cyclones usually begin over very warm ocean water. Heat causes moist air to rise, lowering air pressure near the surface. More surrounding air flows toward that low-pressure centre, and rising water vapour releases heat as it condenses. That extra heat can make the air rise faster and deepen the storm.

Earth’s rotation bends the inflowing air, helping create a spinning circulation rather than a straight rush inward. A cyclone can intensify when warm water continues feeding it and winds at different heights remain aligned enough for the storm to stay organised. Strong wind differences between levels can disrupt the system.

These are established meteorological principles, not details provided in the article. The article reports that Murasu was over the Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal and might intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm. It does not identify ocean temperatures, pressure readings or wind patterns behind that forecast.