Cyclone Murasu Begins Landfall on Andhra Coast as Evacuations Expand

Murasu developed over the Bay of Bengal just as eastern India was dealing with Cyclone Arnab's aftermath. On October 31, the India Meteorological Department reported a well marked low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, with a depression likely within six hours.

The threat to Andhra Pradesh became clearer that day. The Hindu reported that the depression could become a severe cyclonic storm by November 2 and make landfall between Narsapur and Nellore on November 3, with maximum winds of 120 kmph.

On November 1, Murasu was moving northwestward at about 25 kmph. At 5:30 pm, it was approximately 420 km from Chennai and 490 km from Nellore, according to Mint.

Preparations extended beyond evacuations. On November 1, Business Line reported that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu sought support from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with additional workers and machinery being mobilised for electricity restoration.

By November 2, the India Meteorological Department described Murasu as a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast. Swarajya reported school closures across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Evacuations also expanded. Al Jazeera reported that about 2,000 people had been moved from coastal areas by Monday, with officials planning to evacuate around 30,000 as the storm approached Andhra Pradesh. Separately, Hindustan Times reported that Odisha had evacuated 1.6 lakh people and planned to move another 1.4 lakh.

Transport services were disrupted on November 2, with India Today reporting 19 flight cancellations. India News also reported train cancellations as authorities issued heavy rainfall warnings.

The latest report from NDTV India says Murasu began making landfall around 1 am on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. That is later in the sequence than the forecasts that still described landfall as pending.

There is a dating inconsistency in the supplied coverage: that report is indexed November 2 but describes landfall beginning on Tuesday, November 3. Its reported start time is also earlier than the 2-3 am forecast carried by News.

The risk extends inland and beyond the landfall area. Mint reported forecasts of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and gale winds across parts of southern India over the next three days, with coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema expected to bear the brunt.

The immediate questions are how quickly evacuations can be completed and how much damage the winds cause to electricity supplies. Business Line reported that around 8,000 electricity poles across south coastal and Rayalaseema districts could be affected, although this was a risk estimate, not a confirmed damage count.

Rainfall remains a concern beyond Andhra Pradesh. Times now reported heavy rainfall warnings for five Odisha districts and advice for fishermen to stay off the sea. Further updates will be needed to establish the storm's completed landfall, inland track and actual damage.