Cyclone Murasu has intensified into a severe storm, prompting widespread concern and preparation along India's southeastern coast. As of November 2, the cyclone is located 260 km northeast of Chennai, steadily moving northwest at speeds of 20 km/h. Weather authorities have tracked the system's consolidation, bringing it to a point where its potential for destruction is heightened.
Local authorities have initiated rescue preparations, while fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea. Educational routines have been disrupted, with all schools in Chennai closed for Monday due to the storm. School closures have also been implemented in the NTR district.
The reach of Cyclone Murasu extends far beyond its precise geographic center, threatening a vast swath of coastal and interior districts with severe meteorological trauma. Chennai and Thiruvallur districts face heavy rainfall, prompting an orange alert for the region. Adjacent districts including Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Vellore, and Nilgiris may also experience heavy rain as the outer bands of the cyclone brush the terrain. Further north, districts like Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, and others are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rains, creating a multi-state zone of high risk.
Given the escalating nature of the threat, the weather department has issued red alerts for the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu.
Cyclone Murasu LIVE update on November 2, 2026: Alerts in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha https://t.co/qlbnjw9rtA
Given the escalating nature of the threat, the weather department has issued red alerts for the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu. These warnings point directly to the severe weather hazards expected to hit the coast. The maritime domain is equally perilous; fishermen have been specifically advised against venturing into the sea, recognizing that the waters of the Bay of Bengal have turned hostile under the cyclone's influence.
The climax of this weather event has a defined schedule and location. The weather department predicts landfall to occur between Nellore and Narasapur in Andhra Pradesh, specifically targeting the coast near Ongole. The timing for this severe transition is mapped out precisely between 11:30 PM on Monday and 4:00 AM on Tuesday. When the cyclone crosses the South Andhra Pradesh coast during this window, it is expected to pack sustained wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, accompanied by aggressive gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
Murasu update - Innum Konjam dip venum ---------------------------------------- The weather models have shifted the projected landfall location considerably southwards, now bringing the crossing area closer to the Kavali belt in Andhra Pradesh. The cyclone heading towards South Andhra is now almost certain. However, f Murasu crosses around Nellore or slightly south of Nellore, then KTCC (Chennai) is unlikely to miss out on the dense rain bands. In fact, Chennai is now firmly in the rainfall zone, with rains expected as the system approaches and crosses the coast from later tonight to tomorrow morning.. But it will miss the heaviest rains (refer 2nd image) which falls between Sriharikota and Nellore. So innum konjam dip aana, pa group will be happy.
Beyond the immediate coastal impact of high winds, the broader geography of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema faces heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on November 2 and 3, alongside moderate rain in parts of northern Tamil Nadu. The secondary risks are extensive and tangible: falling trees, power line breaks, and severe flooding in low-lying areas threaten infrastructure and daily life. As the hours tick down toward the predicted landfall, local populations remain on high alert, waiting for the storm to make its final transition across the coastline.