New Threat: Cyclone Murasu Looms Over Eastern Coast
After the devastation of Cyclone Arnab, a new storm named Murasu is intensifying in the Bay of Bengal, threatening the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The eastern coast of India is once again on high alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the formation of Cyclone Murasu. This new storm arrives just days after the region struggled to recover from the trail of destruction left by Cyclone Arnab, adding to the anxiety of millions living along the shoreline.
From Deep Depression to Cyclonic Storm
According to an official update from the IMD on Sunday, what began as a deep depression over the Southwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal has rapidly intensified. By 11:30 AM IST on November 1, 2026, the system officially evolved into Cyclonic Storm "Murasu."
The storm has been moving west-northwestward at a speed of 23 kmph. At the time of the report, the center of the cyclone was positioned near Latitude 12.1°N and Longitude 85.3°E. Its proximity to major coastal hubs is a cause for concern, as it lay approximately:
- 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- 660 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- 630 km east-southeast of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
- 640 km southeast of Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- 680 km east-southeast of Ongole, Andhra Pradesh
The Path of Destruction: What to Expect
The IMD warns that Murasu is not yet at its peak. The system is expected to continue its west-northwest trajectory and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal by the morning of November 2.
Projected Landfall and Wind Speeds
The storm is predicted to shift its course northwestwards, heading directly toward the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The IMD anticipates that the storm will make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur. This crossing is expected to occur between midnight on November 2 (23:30 Hrs IST) and the early hours of November 3, 2026.
The intensity is expected to be formidable, with wind speeds ranging between 100 to 110 kmph, potentially gusting up to 120 kmph.
A Region Already Battered
The arrival of Murasu is particularly devastating because the region is still reeling from the impact of Cyclone Arnab. Arnab made landfall near Odalarevu on October 29, 2026, causing widespread havoc along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The scale of the previous disaster was immense. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that preliminary estimates place the total loss caused by Cyclone Arnab at approximately ₹4,600 crore.
With the coast already fragile and resources stretched, the warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts serves as a critical call for preparedness as Murasu gathers strength.