Murasu may bring 120-km/h gusts to Andhra coast
Damaged power networks and communities face renewed weather risks
Overview
Andhra Pradesh is recovering from , which damaged crops and knocked down more than 15,000 power poles. A storm system over the southeast Bay of Bengal has grown stronger and could become within 48 hours. It may reach the by November 2 and approach or cross south Andhra Pradesh on November 3. Forecasts place landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, but the path and timing could change. Winds may reach 80 to 90 km/h, later rising to 100 to 110 km/h, with gusts up to 120 km/h. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and could face very heavy rain, rough seas and floods. Officials must manage Arnab relief while preparing evacuations, shelters and coastal safety measures. Fishing and other activities may be restricted as warnings change.
Timeline
Authorities warned coastal communities and restricted activities as Murasu approached
Official forecasts warned of rough seas, thunderstorms, lightning and strengthening squally winds along the Andhra coast. District administrations were expected to coordinate shelter and evacuation planning while fishing and other coastal activity faced restrictions as the storm intensified.
Andhra Pradesh faced a second preparedness test while recovering from Cyclone Arnab
Arnab had recently caused widespread damage, including crop losses and the collapse of more than 15,000 , leaving coastal communities and infrastructure vulnerable to another storm. The prospect of Murasu increased pressure on authorities to sustain relief operations, protect damaged networks and prepare shelters and evacuations.
IMD forecast heavy to extremely heavy rain across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema
IMD warned that rainfall would intensify on November 2 and 3, with heavy to very heavy rain in several coastal districts and isolated extremely heavy rain in parts of Andhra Pradesh. districts including Nandyal, Kadapa, Annamayya and Tirupati were also forecast to receive heavy or very heavy rainfall.
IMD raised projected Murasu winds from 80 to 90 km/h to 100 to 110 km/h
Earlier projections called for sustained winds of 80 to 90 km/h, with gusts up to 100 km/h, as the storm neared Andhra Pradesh. Later forecasts indicated that Murasu could become a with winds of 100 to 110 km/h and gusts reaching 120 km/h near landfall.
IMD placed the likely Murasu landfall corridor between Nellore and Narsapur
The emerging forecast track pointed to a coastal crossing between Nellore and Narsapur, while officials continued to indicate uncertainty over the storm’s exact path and crossing point. Forecast updates also differed on whether the system would cross near the coast on November 3 morning or later that day.
IMD forecast Cyclone Murasu to approach south Andhra Pradesh on November 3
IMD projected that the system would reach the west-central Bay of Bengal by November 2 and approach or cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of November 3. The forecast brought a second major cyclone threat soon after and damaging aftermath in Andhra Pradesh.
IMD upgraded the Bay of Bengal low-pressure area into a depression and forecast further intensification
The India Meteorological Department said a had formed over the Bay of Bengal and was moving toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. IMD forecast that the system could strengthen into a , later to be named Murasu, within the next 48 hours.