🐅 Environment
Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole; 132 mandals hit, 10,805 moved to shelters, no deaths reported
In 60 seconds: Cyclone Murasu made landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole early on 3 November, the second cyclone to hit the region in a week. It affected 132 mandals in 15 districts, and 10,805 people were moved to cyclone shelters. Trees and power poles fell and standing crops were damaged. State officials said no deaths or injuries had been reported so far. IMD expected it to weaken into a deep depression by Tuesday night.
Why it matters
Two storms in one week on the same coast test how well early evacuation works. Moving thousands out before landfall is why the first reports show no deaths.
Explain it simply
When a storm warning comes, a school moves children out of the ground-floor classes before the rain. Shelters work the same way for villages on the coast.
The 3-minute read
What happened
Murasu crossed the coast near Ongole in Prakasam district. IMD said it was moving north-northwestwards and would weaken into a deep depression by Tuesday night. 171 relief camps were opened and 14,810 food packets distributed.
Background
It was the second cyclone on this coast in about a week, after Arnab. Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyal were the worst-hit districts. Paddy, cotton and maize suffered most, and reports put crop damage above 30,000 units of land (hectares in the Tribune's headline, 30,661 acres in the official release it cites).
How it works
Down To Earth reported storm surges in Bapatla, Prakasam and Krishna districts and sea water entering inland at Ongole. Landfall began after midnight and, according to IMD, crossing took place between Nellore and Narsapur.
What's next
Relief and restoration continue; NDRF and SDRF teams are on the ground. The state launched a WhatsApp helpline, 'Mana Mitra', to report outages, fallen trees and waterlogging, and officials will assess crop losses.
What it means for you
Know IMD's cyclone grades in order (depression, deep depression, cyclonic storm, severe...) and the roles of NDMA, NDRF and the state disaster authority. They are a standard environment and disaster-management topic.
Key numbers
- 132: Mandals in 15 districts affected
- 10,805: People moved to cyclone shelters
- 171: Relief camps set up
Both sides
- State government: Early evacuation and central NDRF support kept casualties at zero so far.
- Farmers and salt workers: Standing paddy, cotton and maize and the salt pans are lost, and they need quick compensation.
Key terms explained
- Landfall
- The moment when the centre of a cyclone moves from the sea over the coast.
- Deep depression
- A weak stage of a storm system on IMD's scale, below a cyclonic storm, with winds of roughly 50 to 61 km/h.
The story so far
- 28 Oct 2026: Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm, makes landfall on the same coastline. Down To Earth reports that Arnab made landfall further north on the same coastline, days before Murasu followed.
- 2 Nov 2026: Murasu strengthens into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. It became a cyclonic storm on 1 November and a severe cyclonic storm the next day, with the Andhra coast on alert.
- 3 Nov 2026: Murasu crosses near Ongole in Prakasam district, affecting 132 mandals in 15 districts. Trees and power poles fell, low-lying areas flooded and salt pans near Ongole were inundated. No deaths or injuries had been reported so far.
- Today: Murasu crosses Andhra coast near Ongole; 132 mandals hit, no deaths so far
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- Landfall is the moment the centre (eye) of a cyclone crosses the coast.
- IMD names cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea from a list shared by countries in the region; 'Murasu' is the current name.
- Storm surge, the rise of sea level pushed inland by cyclone winds, is often deadlier than the wind itself.
- NDRF is the National Disaster Response Force; SDRF is the state-level force; APSDMA is Andhra Pradesh's state disaster management authority.
Likely exam question: Why is storm surge considered the most dangerous part of a cyclone on India's east coast, and how do early warnings and shelters reduce loss of life?