🐅 Environment
Cyclone Murasu turns severe, set to cross Andhra coast near Ongole overnight on 2–3 November
In 60 seconds: Cyclone Murasu has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, as forecast a day earlier. IMD now expects landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Ongole, between 11:30 pm on 2 November and 4 am on 3 November. Winds of 100–110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h, are likely, and orange alerts cover parts of Telangana and Odisha.
Why it matters
New since 1 Nov: Murasu has actually turned severe and the landfall window has narrowed to a few hours near Ongole. Its rain will reach well inland into Telangana and Odisha.
Explain it simply
Yesterday the weather app said 'storm likely'; today it gives the street name and the hour. That's how a cyclone warning sharpens.
The 3-minute read
What happened
At 2:30 am on 2 November the storm was about 260 km east-northeast of Chennai, 290 km east-southeast of Nellore, 330 km southeast of Ongole and 470 km south of Visakhapatnam.
Background
Murasu follows Cyclone Arnab, which flooded southern Odisha days earlier. It moved nearly northwest at about 20 km/h over the six hours before the bulletin.
How it works
In Odisha's Rayagada district, all 11 fire station teams, JCBs, excavators and cranes have been placed at ghat sections to keep National Highway 326 open.
What's next
Rayagada is under orange warnings for 3 and 4 November. In Telangana, Nagarkurnool has an orange alert, and Collector Hemanta Keshav Patil asked residents to follow IMD advisories.
What it means for you
If you are in the storm's path, stay indoors during landfall hours, keep away from the sea and follow district administration alerts.
Key numbers
- 100–110 km/h: Expected sustained winds at landfall
- 120 km/h: Expected peak gusts
- 11:30 pm–4 am: Landfall window, 2–3 Nov
Both sides
- IMD: The severe cyclonic storm will cross the coast close to Ongole overnight with damaging winds.
- District officials: Equipment and rescue teams are in place; people should follow official advisories.
Key terms explained
- Severe cyclonic storm
- IMD's category for a cyclone with sustained winds of 89–117 km/h.
- Landfall
- The moment a cyclone's centre moves from the sea across the coast onto land.
The story so far
- 1 Nov 2026: A depression in the southeast Bay is forecast to become Cyclone Murasu and hit south Andhra on 3 Nov. Days after Cyclone Arnab, forecasters expected the new system to grow into a severe cyclonic storm and bring heavy rain to south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
- 2 Nov 2026: Murasu intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm, about 290 km east-southeast of Nellore. IMD's 2:30 am bulletin placed the storm at 13.6°N, 82.5°E, moving nearly northwest at 20 km/h.
- Today: Murasu turns severe; landfall near Ongole overnight on 2–3 Nov
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- On IMD's scale, a severe cyclonic storm has sustained winds of 89–117 km/h.
- Landfall is the point where the centre (eye) of a cyclone crosses the coastline.
- The name Murasu, a Tamil word for a war drum, was contributed by India to the North Indian Ocean list.
- Ongole is the headquarters of Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh.
Likely exam question: Discuss the factors that make India's east coast more vulnerable to cyclones than its west coast.