Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu Makes Landfall on South Andhra Pradesh Coast
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, on 3 November 2026 with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 km/h. Contributed by India under the regional tropical cyclone naming system, the storm was the second cyclonic system to strike the state within a week.
What happened
Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu made landfall over the south Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 3 November 2026. The landfall process commenced around 1:00 AM IST, with the core of the system crossing the coastline between Nellore and Narsapur (Narasapuram), close to Ongole in Prakasam district, between 3:30 AM IST and 5:30 AM IST. The storm generated sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
The meteorological system originated as a low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea on 29 October 2026. It concentrated into a depression on 31 October 2026, escalated into a cyclonic storm on 1 November 2026, and intensified further into a severe cyclonic storm later that same day. Murasu marked the second cyclonic storm of the 2026 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, striking the Andhra Pradesh coast less than a week after Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur on 28 October 2026.
After crossing the coast, the system moved inland and weakened into a cyclonic storm by early afternoon on 3 November 2026, centered about 40 km west-northwest of Bapatla and 60 km north of Ongole, carrying sustained winds of 80 to 90 km/h. It subsequently weakened into a depression before dissipating over southeastern Telangana by 4 November 2026.
The storm caused severe localized damage, resulting in two confirmed deaths in Bapatla district. Agricultural assessments indicated that standing crops spanning roughly 52,459 to 52,500 hectares were affected, while at least 312 houses and critical power transmission networks sustained damage. Heavy rainfall was recorded across the region between 08:30 and 13:00 IST on 3 November, with Konanki recording 168.2 mm, Edlapadu 147.5 mm, and Pasumarru 145.2 mm. Storm surges caused sea ingression up to 190 meters inland in vulnerable pockets of Bapatla, Prakasam, and Krishna districts.
Disaster mitigation operations were coordinated by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), headed by Managing Director Prakhar Jain, alongside the India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted aerial surveys and held teleconferences with District Collectors, while Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha reviewed emergency response measures. The state administration also deployed a dedicated emergency WhatsApp grievance helpline (9552300009) to register public complaints regarding uprooted trees, power breakdowns, and flooding. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also engaged with state leadership to review damage assessments and relief operations.
Important dates
| Low-pressure area formed over Andaman Sea | 29 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| System concentrated into a depression | 31 October 2026 |
| Upgraded to Cyclonic Storm and Severe Cyclonic Storm | 1 November 2026 |
| Landfall of Cyclone Murasu near Ongole | 3 November 2026 |
| Dissipation over southeastern Telangana | 4 November 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- Tropical Cyclone Naming: Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean (including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) are named by the IMD from a pre-determined panel of 13 member nations of WMO/ESCAP.
- Naming Country: The name 'Murasu' was contributed by India; it denotes an ancient Tamil percussion instrument / war drum.
- Nodal Agency: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), established in 1875, is the principal government agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and tropical cyclone warnings.
- Parent Ministry: IMD operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
- State Disaster Framework: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) operates under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to manage state-level emergency mitigation, relief, and response.
What candidates should do
- Memorize the naming country and etymology for North Indian Ocean cyclones as direct match-the-following questions often appear in SSC and State PSC exams.
- Review the classification scale used by the IMD to categorize depressions, deep depressions, cyclonic storms, and severe cyclonic storms based on sustained wind speeds.
- Track the geographical locations of coastal districts and ports in Andhra Pradesh (such as Nellore, Ongole, Bapatla, and Narsapur) for UPSC Prelims map-based questions.
PrepZen analysis
The landfall of Cyclone Murasu demonstrates the heightened vulnerability of the Andhra Pradesh coastline during the post-monsoon (October–December) cyclone season in the Bay of Bengal. Coming within a week of Cyclone Arnab, the system placed compounding stress on coastal agricultural tracts, particularly in Prakasam and Bapatla districts, highlighting the importance of rapid early-warning dissemination and institutional disaster coordination.
From an examination perspective, cyclonic storms are high-yield topics across UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, and Banking exams. Candidates should focus on the institutional mechanisms involved—such as the role of the IMD and state disaster authorities—as well as the specific naming conventions adopted by the WMO/ESCAP panel. Questions frequently test wind speed thresholds, landfall locations, and geographical features associated with the Bay of Bengal storm tracks.
Practice questions
Q1. Which country contributed the name 'Murasu' for the cyclonic storm that struck the Andhra Pradesh coast in November 2026?
Q2. Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu made landfall over the south Andhra Pradesh coast between which of the following locations?
Q3. Under which Union Ministry does the India Meteorological Department (IMD) operate?
Over the south Andhra Pradesh coast.
Crossed between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole.
🎯 Key Point: Cyclone Murasu makes landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast.
FAQs
What does the name 'Murasu' mean?
The name 'Murasu' was suggested by India and is a Tamil word referring to a traditional percussion instrument or war drum.
Where did Cyclone Murasu make landfall?
Cyclone Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole in Prakasam district.
What were the maximum wind speeds recorded during Cyclone Murasu's landfall?
The severe cyclonic storm made landfall with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h.
Which cyclone struck the Andhra Pradesh coast immediately prior to Cyclone Murasu?
Cyclone Arnab struck the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026 near Narsapur, less than a week before Murasu.
Sources and references
- newsonair.gov.in (newsonair.gov.in) Official
- imd.gov.in (mausam.imd.gov.in) Official
- imd.gov.in (mausam.imd.gov.in) Official
- thehindu.com (www.thehindu.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 3 November 2026
Q1. Who has recently been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)?
Q2. What is the primary objective of the newly notified VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026 by the Ministry of Rural Development?
Q3. Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026?
Q4. How many Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) will be acquired by the Indian Navy under the recent ₹53,866.50 crore deal signed by the Ministry of Defence?
Q5. Which Indian Naval Ship recently completed a 10-month 'Lokayan 26' transoceanic sailing expedition?
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