Cyclone Murasu Triggers Eleven Flight Cancellations and School Closures as Landfall Nears

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu LIVE updates: System intensifies into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm', to make landfall on Nov. 3 morning: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu has forced the cancellation of eleven arriving and departing flights at Chennai airport on Monday, November 2, 2026. The Airports Authority of India confirmed that affected routes include services connecting Chennai with Vijayawada, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Tiruchi.

Landfall Details

According to the India Meteorological Department, the storm lay over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The system is moving west-northwestwards and is very likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, from 11:30 p.m. Monday to 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. Winds are expected to reach speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 120 kilometres per hour.

Regional Impacts

Northern Tamil Nadu has received heavy rain, with Chennai recording an average rainfall of 76.07 millimetres in the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 a.m. on Monday. Madhavaram recorded 11 centimetres of rain, while Ennore Port and Nungambakkam recorded 10 centimetres each. District collectors in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Guntur ordered the closure of schools and colleges on Monday due to the heavy downpour. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has deployed six National Disaster Response Force teams and seven State Disaster Response Force teams to districts expected to face the brunt of the storm.

Context

Cyclones forming in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon season frequently bring torrential rains and high-speed winds to India's eastern coastal states. Authorities maintain emergency response protocols and control rooms to coordinate rescue operations and minimize disruptions during severe weather events.