Cyclone Murasu eye crosses Andhra Pradesh coast after making landfall
The severe cyclonic storm has caused heavy rainfall and property damage in Prakasam district as NDRF teams begin rescue operations.
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 made landfall near Ongole, has brought torrential rains and strong winds to several parts of the state.
In Prakasam district, heavy rain and winds caused the collapse of a statue of Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu at the district Collectorate in Ongole. At Samatha Nagar in Ongole, several thatched houses collapsed, leaving residents stranded. The district administration has started rescue operations to evacuate those affected.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 14 teams in Andhra Pradesh, which is the most affected state, according to DIG Mohsen Shahedi. Three additional teams consisting of 90 personnel have been sent from the 4th Battalion near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu to assist in Nellore, Prakasam, and Markapuram.
Rainfall levels in Prakasam district were high, with Naguluppalapadu mandal seeing 198 mm of rain in the 24 hours leading up to 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Kothapatnam mandal and Ongole Urban recorded 182.3 mm and 174.7 mm respectively during the same period.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the storm was likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday noon, with wind speeds of up to 90 kmph. The South Coast Railway has suspended train movements on the Vijayawada-Ongole-Gudur section to ensure passenger safety.