Cyclonic storm Murasu forms, to hit Andhra coast near Nellore by November 3

Cyclonic storm Murasu formed over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when a deep depression over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay intensified, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. On Sunday morning the storm was about 660 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The IMD expects it to move north-westwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between late on Monday, November 2, and the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, as a severe cyclonic storm with sustained winds of 100 to 110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h. The Meteorological Centre in Visakhapatnam has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh for November 2 and 3, and Murasu is the second cyclone to threaten the state's coast in about a week, after Cyclone Arnab.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh is still dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, whose losses the state has put before a central team. A second storm within days puts pressure on the same districts, the same relief machinery and, in many places, the same families, some of whom are still repairing homes, boats and fields.

A severe cyclonic storm with winds of up to 110 km/h can uproot trees, bring down power lines and weak structures, and flood low-lying areas. Heavy rain across a wide belt of the coast is the larger danger for many people: the crossing zone between Nellore and Narsapur covers a long stretch of densely farmed delta and coastal land, where paddy crops and aquaculture ponds are exposed to flooding at this time of year.

The early warning matters. IMD forecasts gave districts more than a day to prepare, and the state disaster authority has named the districts at risk. In past storms, timely evacuation from low-lying coastal villages and the halt to fishing have been the main reasons the death toll stayed low even when damage was heavy.

What residents should do: follow official IMD and APSDMA bulletins rather than forwarded messages, keep phones charged and essential documents and medicines in a waterproof bag, stay indoors during the storm, keep away from fallen power lines, and move to relief shelters when local officials ask. Fishermen should stay ashore until the advisory is lifted.

Short-term: Heavy rain and strong winds are expected along coastal Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3, with likely disruption to power, road and rail travel, and possible evacuations from low-lying areas. Fishing is suspended under the advisory.

Long-term: Two storms in quick succession could add to crop and infrastructure losses already counted after Cyclone Arnab, and may increase the state's claim for central assistance. The pattern will also feed the debate on how coastal states plan for back-to-back storms in the post-monsoon season.

Who is affected: Residents of coastal Andhra Pradesh districts from Nellore to the Godavari region, fishing communities, farmers with standing paddy and aquaculture ponds, travellers, and district and state disaster response teams.

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