Cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra Pradesh coast bringing heavy rain and winds
The severe cyclonic storm made landfall near Ongole on Tuesday morning, triggering widespread rainfall and causing property damage across the region.
The eye of severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to The Hindu. The weather system, which was centred over south coastal Andhra Pradesh near Ongole, brought torrential rains and gale-force winds to several areas.
Heavy rainfall was recorded in Prakasam district, where Naguluppalapadu received 198 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Other significant rainfall totals included 182.3 mm in Kothapatnam and 174.7 mm in Ongole Urban. In Bapatla, rainfall reached 128.53 mm, according to The Hawk.
The storm caused damage in Ongole, where a large tree fell on the statue of Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu at the district Collectorate, causing it to collapse. At Samatha Nagar in Ongole, several thatched houses collapsed, leaving residents stranded and prompting rescue operations by the district administration.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the storm was expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday noon, with wind speeds of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph. It is forecast to subside into a deep depression by midnight with wind speeds of 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph.
In response to the weather, the Andhra Pradesh government's Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) launched a grievance reporting mechanism via the 'Mana Mitra' WhatsApp platform. Additionally, the South Coast Railway's Vijayawada Division suspended train movements on the Vijayawada-Ongole-Gudur section to ensure passenger safety.