Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra Pradesh coast, expected to weaken by noon
The severe cyclonic storm has uprooted trees and damaged electric poles as it moves north-northwestwards across the state.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole between 3.30 am and 8.30 am on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to reports from The Hindu and Siasat. The storm, which had wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon and potentially become a deep depression by Tuesday night.
The cyclone has caused significant destruction, uprooting thousands of trees, damaging hundreds of electric poles, and wrecking fishing boats. Heavy rainfall has inundated many areas, with Bapatla recording 222.4 mm of rain in the 24 hours starting from 8.30 am on Monday. Other areas including Narasapur, Ongole, and Machilipatnam also reported heavy rainfall.
In Prakasam district, Gurijepalli received 48.5 mm and Addanki received 44 mm of rain between 8.30 am and 10 am on Tuesday. NTR district's Nandigama recorded 44 mm. The storm has also disrupted vehicular movement on national highways due to poor visibility and gusty winds.
Krishnamma, a fisherman from Kothapatnam in Prakasam district, described the event as the most dangerous cyclone witnessed in 14 years. He noted that the government and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams evacuated around 400 families from his village. Another resident, Mangamma, stated that while the government evacuated her family before landfall, one of her three fishing boats was destroyed.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert to ensure no loss of life and instructed the power department to be ready to restore supply quickly. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a storm surge in low-lying areas, particularly in Bapatla, Krishna, and Prakasam districts.