Cyclone Murasu is a tropical cyclone that formed over the Bay of Bengal on November 1, 2026, after a deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm.
Murasu, meaning 'war drum' in Tamil, is a name contributed by India to the WMO's list of cyclone names for the North Indian Ocean.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that it will strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by November 2 before moving towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast. It is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur during the night of November 2 and the early hours of November 3, bringing sustained winds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
Andhra Pradesh is bracing for heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Odisha has issued a high alert in its southern districts and ordered evacuations from vulnerable areas.
The cyclone's development comes days after severe cyclonic storm Arnab struck the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, causing extensive damage across six coastal districts. Authorities are closely monitoring Murasu's movement and strengthening disaster response measures.
The IMD has also forecast rainfall in parts of the Rayalaseema region and neighbouring Odisha between November 2 and 4.
After Cyclone Arnab, Andhra Pradesh is bracing for severe cyclonic storm Cyclone Murasu, which is expected to make landfall near Ongole district from midnight. The India Meteorological Department has warned of wind speeds up to 120 km/h, extremely heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding across districts including Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, and Guntur. Parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will also experience strong winds and rain, with an orange alert issued for Chennai and school holidays declared. Thousands have been evacuated from vulnerable low-lying coastal areas.
India Today crew members Abdul Basheer and video journalist S Vijay were assaulted by a mob of 50 to 80 unidentified individuals while covering local body polls near a police station in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh. The attackers destroyed camera equipment and took memory cards and batteries containing footage of polling booth rigging and stone-pelting, leading to an FIR at the Pulivendula police station. The attack triggered a political conflict between the Telugu Desam Party and YSRCP. TDP National Spokesperson Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy accused YSRCP of a conspiracy following statements by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, while Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSRCP leader Satish Kumar Reddy condemned the attack and alleged ruling party interference with police support. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court stayed Jawaharlal Nehru University's termination of Congress MP and professor Bimal Acol Jamoh regarding sexual harassment allegations, setting the next hearing for January 2027. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh and North Tamil Nadu were placed on high alert as severe cyclonic storm Murasu approached the coast near Nellore.
Tamil Nadu is bracing for another severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Murasu, days after Cyclone Arnob affected the east coast. Cyclone Murasu is located 260 kilometres from the Chennai coast, bringing heavy rainfall across the city. Authorities have declared a holiday for all schools in Chennai. The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of November 3, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour.
After the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnub on October 28, India's east coast is bracing for a second cyclonic storm in less than a week. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Murasu, prompting southern Odisha to issue a high alert and step up preparedness. The India Meteorological Department has projected that the cyclone is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, specifically between Nellore and Bapatla, with effects extending toward Srikakulam. Coastal regions in Andhra Pradesh are bracing for the impact as authorities ramp up safety measures.
