Severe Cyclone Murasu makes landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast with 120 kmph gusts, bringing heavy rain and a storm surge warning
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole early on Tuesday, with sustained winds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph, as the India Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain and a storm surge of up to 1.5 metres in low-lying coastal areas.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu made landfall along the south coast of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing extremely heavy rainfall and gale-force winds to coastal districts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The storm crossed the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole in Prakasam district, at around 1 am Indian time, after moving across the west-central Bay of Bengal. In its 4 am bulletin, the IMD confirmed that the eye of the cyclone had crossed the coast.
Sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kilometres per hour were reported as the storm came ashore, with gusts reaching 120 kilometres per hour. The landfall process began at about 1 am, with the forward sector of the storm's wall cloud moving over land while its core sat very close to the coast.
Before landfall, the cyclone was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, about 40 kilometres south-east of Ongole, 60 kilometres north-east of Kavali and 70 kilometres south of Bapatla, according to the IMD's early-morning readings.
Heavy rain began late on Monday night and continued into the early hours of Tuesday, drenching coastal towns and leaving several roads waterlogged. The IMD said heavy spells of rainfall were likely to continue along Andhra Pradesh's south coast over the following 12 hours.
The weather agency also warned of a storm surge of around 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide, which was likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh until the morning of 3 November. The maximum peak surge was expected over Bapatla, as well as the Krishna and Prakasam districts, before gradually decreasing.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to remain on high alert and to ensure zero casualties as the cyclone approached, with the state administration watching the storm's path closely. Emergency and district teams were placed on standby as the system moved inland.
Murasu is the second cyclone to affect India's eastern coast in less than a week, following Cyclone Arnab, which hit parts of the region days earlier. Forecasters track Bay of Bengal systems closely at this time of year, when warm sea waters and shifting seasonal winds can rapidly strengthen storms before landfall.
As the cyclone moves inland, its winds are expected to weaken gradually, but heavy rain remains the main threat for interior districts, with the risk of localised flooding, fallen trees and disruption to road and power networks. Residents in low-lying coastal areas were advised to follow official guidance and avoid venturing near the sea until the surge warning eases.
Authorities will assess damage to homes, crops and infrastructure once the storm passes and conditions allow survey teams to move safely. Further bulletins from the IMD are expected through Tuesday as Murasu weakens over land, with the focus shifting to rainfall totals and river levels in the affected districts.
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