Cyclone Murasu: flights cancelled at Chennai, Vijayawada; Andhra beaches shut to tourists
By Meera IyerGovernance & Policy Editor, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: The_Cool_Pilot / Pixabay
Severe Cyclone Murasu, due to cross south Andhra coast overnight on November 2-3, has led to flight cancellations at Chennai and Vijayawada and beach closures.
What Happened
Airlines cancelled several flights at Chennai and Vijayawada airports on Monday, November 2, 2026, and authorities in Andhra Pradesh closed or restricted popular beaches and tourist spots as Cyclone Murasu moved towards the coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded Murasu to a severe cyclonic storm on November 2 and expects it to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, late on November 2 or in the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, with winds of 100 to 110 km per hour gusting to 120 km per hour.
Key Facts
- Chennai airport listed 11 IndiGo cancellations on November 2, on routes to and from Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kadapa and Tiruchirappalli; the airport posted the list on its official X account.
- Vijayawada airport reported cancelled IndiGo flights and told passengers to check with their airlines; reports put the total cancellations at Chennai and Vijayawada at more than 20.
- Air India Express cancelled services on the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada and Hyderabad-Vijayawada routes.
- IndiGo said flights to and from Tirupati were affected but did not publish a list.
- In Visakhapatnam, tourist spots including Kailasagiri, Rushikonda Beach and RK Beach, as well as Bapatla and Suryalanka beaches, were reported closed or under strict restrictions.
- In Nellore district, the administration moved to close Koduru, Mypadu and Chennarayunipalem beaches to keep tourists out of rough seas.
Why It Matters
Early November is the start of the travel season on the south-east coast. The weather turns pleasant after the monsoon, beaches such as Rushikonda and Suryalanka draw weekend crowds, and pilgrims head to Tirupati and other temple towns. Murasu arrives only days after Cyclone Arnab struck the Andhra coast near Kakinada in late October, so many travellers who rebooked trips after that storm now face a second round of disruption.
The cancellations so far are concentrated on short regional routes. Many of the affected flights link Chennai with smaller Andhra airports such as Rajahmundry and Kadapa. Some services connecting Vijayawada with Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad have also been withdrawn. Airlines usually decide flight by flight, so more changes are possible on November 3 depending on where and how strongly the storm crosses the coast.
For travellers, the practical steps are clear. Check flight status directly with the airline before leaving for the airport, rather than relying on the airport's general notices. Passengers whose flight is cancelled should ask the airline for a rebooking or a refund through its app, website or call centre. Those travelling by train should check the running status on Indian Railways' official enquiry services, since railway zones on the east coast often cancel, short-terminate or divert trains during cyclones. Anyone already on the coast should follow district advisories and stay away from beaches, rivers and flooded underpasses.
Beach closures are a safety measure, not a formality. Storm surge, high waves and strong currents are the main dangers to people near the sea when a cyclone approaches, and officials in Nellore said the sea already looked dangerous on Monday.
Impact
Short-term: More flight cancellations, train changes and closed tourist spots are likely on November 2 and 3 across south coastal Andhra Pradesh and around Chennai. Hotels and tour operators on the coast can expect cancellations for the coming days.
Long-term: Two cyclones within about a week will test coastal Andhra's tourism season, and the state's plans to promote its beaches will depend on how quickly roads, power and beach facilities are restored.
Who is affected: Air passengers on routes through Chennai, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, Tiruchirappalli and Tirupati; tourists and pilgrims in coastal Andhra Pradesh; local tour operators, hotels and beach vendors.
Key Takeaway
Cyclone Murasu has led airlines to cancel flights at Chennai and Vijayawada and authorities to close Andhra Pradesh beaches before its expected landfall near Ongole overnight on November 2-3, so travellers should check bookings directly with airlines and railways.
Questions and Answers
Which flights are cancelled because of Cyclone Murasu?
On November 2, Chennai airport listed 11 IndiGo cancellations on routes to and from Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kadapa and Tiruchirappalli. Vijayawada airport also reported IndiGo cancellations, and Air India Express cancelled Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada and Hyderabad-Vijayawada services. IndiGo said Tirupati flights were also affected.
When and where will Cyclone Murasu make landfall?
The India Meteorological Department expects the severe cyclonic storm to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, late on November 2 or early on November 3, 2026, with winds of 100 to 110 km per hour gusting to 120 km per hour.
Are beaches in Andhra Pradesh closed?
Yes. Kailasagiri, Rushikonda Beach and RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, and Bapatla and Suryalanka beaches, were reported closed or restricted, and Nellore district moved to close Koduru, Mypadu and Chennarayunipalem beaches.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
Confirm the cancellation with the airline and ask for a rebooking or a refund through its app, website or call centre. Check train status on Indian Railways' official services before travelling.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Meera Iyer, Governance & Policy EditorCovers Governance & Policy and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Meera Iyer
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Meera Iyer is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
