Cyclone Murasu intensifies toward Andhra Pradesh coast, evacuations underway

Severe Cyclone Murasu is forecast to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole around midnight on November 2, 2026, bringing winds of 100 to 110 kmph and heavy rainfall across southern India. Authorities have initiated evacuations targeting up to 30,000 residents, deployed over 300 rescue teams, and issued red alerts for five districts. The threat follows Cyclone Arnab, which hit the region just days prior, causing five deaths and ₹4,600 crore in damages.

Landfall forecast and wind intensity

• ▪The India Meteorological Department stated that Cyclone Murasu is expected to produce sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph during landfall
• ▪The India Meteorological Department forecast Cyclone Murasu to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm along the southern Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, between 11:30 p.m. on November 2, 2026, and 4:00 a.m. on November 3, 2026

Evacuation and emergency preparedness

• ▪Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan ordered evacuations ahead of Cyclone Murasu in low-lying areas of Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Bapatla, and Krishna districts, while Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cancelled a scheduled trip to Delhi to oversee response efforts
• ▪Andhra Pradesh authorities deployed six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams, while Odisha pre-positioned over 300 rescue teams across its southern districts
• ▪Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, reported on November 2, 2026, that around 2,000 people were evacuated with plans to evacuate approximately 30,000 people from coastal regions ahead of Cyclone Murasu

Rainfall warnings and early precipitation in Andhra Pradesh

• ▪The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on November 2, 2026, across five Andhra Pradesh districts: Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, and SPSR Nellore
• ▪Prior to Cyclone Murasu's landfall, early rainfall was recorded in northern coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2, 2026, including 102.49 mm at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district and 51.75 mm in Kakinada Rural mandal

Air travel disruptions

• ▪Passengers were advised to check their flight status with respective airlines before leaving for the airport on November 2, 2026
• ▪Airlines cancelled multiple flights on November 2, 2026, including 10 IndiGo flights from Vijayawada, two Air India Express flights connecting Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad, and 11 flights servicing Chennai airport