Cyclone Murasu grows into severe storm as coast readies for landfall

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE update: Orange alert in six Telangana districts, yellow alert in five; holiday announced for schools, colleges in T.N., A.P. districts: Cyclonic Storm Murasu has grown into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the West Central and Southwest Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department states the system is heading toward the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole, with winds expected to reach speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 120 kilometres per hour.

Landfall Details

The storm is projected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, during the night of November 2 and the early hours of November 3, 2026. Bapatla District Collector Dr. Vinod Kumar V. has directed officials to step up preparations for heavy rainfall and water inflows from neighbouring regions. Authorities are strengthening weak stretches of drains with sandbags and clearing water hyacinth near bridges to prevent flooding.

Closures and Warnings

Educational institutions remain shut in multiple areas due to heavy rains. Chennai and Tiruvallur District Collectors announced school and college closures for Monday. Guntur District Collector C.M. Saikanth Varma declared a holiday for all Anganwadi centres, schools, and junior colleges in the district. Residents are advised to avoid going outdoors, stay away from old buildings and wet electricity poles, and refrain from fishing.

Wider Impact

Meanwhile, Odisha's death toll from the earlier Cyclone Arnab rose to six, with ten people still missing. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P. Patil stated that rescue work for Arnab and preparations for Murasu are running simultaneously, while over 6,400 staff work to restore power in southern Odisha.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season, bringing intense wind and heavy rain to India's eastern coastline. State disaster management agencies routinely declare educational closures and deploy field teams to mitigate flood risks and secure essential infrastructure ahead of landfall.