Severe Cyclone Murasu Brings Heavy Rain and Flight Cuts to Chennai and Andhra Coast

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Murasu: List of flights cancelled to and from Chennai: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu over the West Central and Southwest Bay of Bengal has forced the cancellation of eleven flights on November 2, 2026. Chennai International Airport confirmed the cancellations on platform X due to adverse weather. IndiGo also reported disruptions to flight operations connecting Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, and Tirupati, noting that affected passengers are receiving text messages on their booking numbers. Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts remain closed today because of heavy rainfall. Six districts in Telangana are placed under an orange weather alert, with five additional districts under a yellow alert. According to the India Meteorological Department, the storm moved at a speed of 25 kmph and is located roughly 200 km east-northeast of Chennai. The severe system is very likely to cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, just south of Ongole, between 11:30 pm on November 2 and 4:00 am on November 3. Forecasters expect wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph during landfall. Meanwhile, Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner Sameeran stated that no major incidents occurred and no residents moved to relief camps despite widespread overnight rain. Officials reported minor waterlogging in a few pockets of North Chennai, while all subways remained open and traffic moved smoothly.

Context

Tropical storms forming in the Bay of Bengal frequently bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the eastern coast of India during this part of the year. Meteorological agencies monitor these systems closely to issue timely alerts and prevent loss of life in coastal regions.