Cyclone Murasu: India issues red-message warning for Andhra Pradesh coast as storm heads for landfall
The India Meteorological Department expects Cyclonic Storm Murasu to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur late on 2 November, days after Cyclone Arnab hit the same coast.
India’s weather agency has issued a cyclone warning for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring north Tamil Nadu as Cyclonic Storm Murasu moves across the Bay of Bengal, the second cyclone to approach the Andhra Pradesh coast in less than a week.
In a bulletin issued at 13:00 GMT on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm was centred about 480 km east-southeast of Chennai and 550 km east-southeast of Nellore. It said Murasu was very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday morning and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur between 23:30 on 2 November and 04:00 on 3 November India time (18:00-22:30 GMT on 2 November), with sustained winds of 100-110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h.
The IMD’s marine bulletin carried a “red message” warning and forecast waves of 6-12 metres in the western Bay of Bengal.
The Times of India reported that 10 coastal districts from Nellore to Krishna were on high alert, with six National Disaster Response Force and six State Disaster Response Force teams deployed. State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha told officials to move people living in low-lying areas and dilapidated houses to safer places, the paper said. Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla urged residents to relocate to safe zones in advance and said schools and colleges would close on Monday, The Hindu reported. Fishermen have been told not to go to sea.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on 28 October. In neighbouring Odisha, the death toll from incidents linked to Arnab rose to six on Sunday after rescuers recovered two bodies from a landslide in Gidipabali village, where 10 people remain missing, India Today reported, citing officials.
Figures as of 13:00 GMT on 1 November 2026. Earlier coverage: Cyclone Arnab floods cut off villages in Odisha.
Sources
- Special GMDSS Bulletin No. 5: Cyclonic Storm 'Murasu' (cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts, red message) · India Meteorological Department
- Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 1 for North Indian Ocean, issued at 1200 UTC of 01.11.2026 · India Meteorological Department
- Cyclone Murasu: 10 AP districts on high alert, 12 NDRF, SDRF teams deployed · The Times of India
- Public urged to stay alert as cyclone Murasu set to hit Nellore, Prakasam districts · The Hindu
- Cyclone Arnab toll rises to 6 in Odisha, search on for 10 missing · India Today
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