Environment & Climate2 Nov 2026 · about 6 min

Cyclone Murasu: Severe cyclonic storm nears Andhra coast, rain alert for coastal states

The brief

A cyclone is a large rotating weather system built around low air pressure. It can produce powerful winds, intense rain, rough seas, and flooding. In the Northern Hemisphere, its winds rotate counterclockwise. Its effects can extend far beyond the point where its centre reaches land. Landfall happens when the cyclone’s centre crosses the coastline from the sea onto land. This is different from simply passing near a coast. Before landfall, the storm draws energy from warm ocean water. After moving inland, it usually weakens, but rain, wind, and flooding can continue. Cyclone Murasu was forecast to cross the south Andhra coast around midnight, with the landfall process continuing until 4 AM Tuesday. Its expected winds were 100 to 110 kmph. That timing mattered because coastal communities, transport services, schools, and emergency teams needed to prepare before the storm reached land.

What is a cyclone, and what does it mean for a cyclone to make landfall?

Landfall happens when the cyclone’s centre crosses the coastline from the sea onto land. This is different from simply passing near a coast. Before landfall, the storm draws energy from warm ocean water. After moving inland, it usually weakens, but rain, wind, and flooding can continue.

Cyclone Murasu was forecast to cross the south Andhra coast around midnight, with the landfall process continuing until 4 AM Tuesday. Its expected winds were 100 to 110 kmph. That timing mattered because coastal communities, transport services, schools, and emergency teams needed to prepare before the storm reached land.

Where and when is Cyclone Murasu expected to make landfall?

Cyclone Murasu was expected to make landfall off the southern Andhra Pradesh coast late on November 3. The India Meteorological Department said it would move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra coast around midnight. Landfall is the point when the storm’s centre moves from the Bay of Bengal onto land.

On Monday morning, Murasu was located between east-southeast of Nellore and northeast of Chennai. It was moving at 22 kmph. The forecast placed the main impact zone along the southern Andhra coast, rather than in Chennai itself.

The landfall process was expected to continue until 4 AM Tuesday. Nellore, Narsapur, and Ongole were identified as likely to be worst affected. Andhra authorities were evacuating residents, while three NDRF teams from Tamil Nadu had been sent to Andhra Pradesh for rescue and relief work.

How strong is Murasu expected to be, and how much rain and wind could affected areas receive?

Murasu had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The IMD forecast winds of 100 to 110 kmph as it crossed the south Andhra coast. Such winds can damage property, disrupt transport, uproot trees, and make coastal conditions dangerous. The article does not give a separate total rainfall forecast for Andhra Pradesh.

For Chennai, the IMD issued an orange alert because very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm was expected. Rainfall had already been intense in northern Tamil Nadu. Madhavaram recorded 11 cm over 24 hours, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam each recorded 10 cm.

The storm’s effects were uneven. Chennai’s corporation said no area had experienced extremely heavy or unmanageable rain, but some locations had minor water stagnation. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema also received warnings. The expected winds and continuing rain made evacuation and emergency readiness important.

What does an orange alert mean, and why was one issued for Chennai?

An orange alert is a warning that weather could cause significant disruption and danger. It tells people to stay informed and prepare, while authorities increase monitoring and response. It is more serious than a routine weather advisory, though the exact action still depends on local conditions.

The IMD issued Chennai an orange alert because very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm was expected. Rain had already continued from Sunday night in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur. Madhavaram recorded 11 cm in 24 hours, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam recorded 10 cm each.

The warning mattered because heavy rain can quickly create waterlogging and affect travel, schools, and public services. Chennai schools remained closed on Monday. The Greater Chennai Corporation used teams to remove water and kept staff on active alert, although it reported no major flooding or unmanageable downpours.

What consequences has the cyclone already caused for people, transport, schools, and coastal communities?

Murasu had already disrupted daily life before landfall. Heavy rain affected Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur from Sunday night. Chennai schools were closed on Monday, and the city corporation dealt with minor water stagnation. Northern Chennai zones, including Parrys and Manali, recorded several very heavy rainfall readings.

Transport was also affected. Chennai Airport cancelled certain flights because of adverse weather. IndiGo warned that Visakhapatnam flight operations were disrupted and that passengers could face extended waiting times on the ground or onboard. These problems show how a storm can affect people beyond its immediate landfall area.

Coastal Andhra communities faced the greatest direct threat. Nellore, Narsapur, and Ongole were expected to be badly affected. Andhra authorities said around 2,000 people had been evacuated and planned to evacuate about 30,000. Three NDRF teams were deployed from Tamil Nadu to support rescue and relief.

How do the IMD, state disaster authorities, local governments, and the NDRF respond to a cyclone threat?

The IMD monitors the storm and issues forecasts, alerts, expected landfall times, wind speeds, and rainfall warnings. Its Monday statement said Murasu would move northwestwards and cross south Andhra around midnight. These forecasts help governments decide when to close schools, warn residents, and begin evacuations.

State disaster authorities coordinate larger emergency actions. Andhra Pradesh officials reported evacuations and planned to move more residents from danger areas. Local governments handle immediate city problems. The Greater Chennai Corporation monitored rainfall, pumped water from inundated areas, and kept teams ready to clear remaining water.

The NDRF provides specialised rescue and relief support. Three teams from Tamil Nadu’s 4th battalion were deployed to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Airlines and airports also respond by cancelling or delaying flights and issuing passenger advisories. These actions reduce exposure before landfall and improve the ability to respond afterward.

How do tropical cyclones form over warm ocean water, and why can they become stronger as they move across the Bay of Bengal?

Tropical cyclones begin over sufficiently warm ocean water. Heat causes moist air to rise, leaving lower pressure near the surface. More air flows inward, rises, cools, and releases heat as water vapour condenses. Earth’s rotation then helps the system spin, while thunderstorms organise around its centre.

A cyclone can strengthen while crossing warm water because evaporation supplies more moisture and condensation releases more energy. Low wind shear, which means little change in wind speed or direction with height, also helps the storm remain organised. These are general meteorological principles, not specific conditions listed for Murasu.

The Bay of Bengal is a major source of warm, moist air for storms. Murasu was moving across the bay at 22 kmph and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The article gives its forecast strength but does not identify which ocean conditions caused that intensification.

This brief was written by AI from the original reporting and checked by other models. Names, figures and quotes come from the source; read it for full context.