Cyclone Murasu LIVE Updates: Odisha on alert as Murasu nears, Gajapati faces landslide risk
Cyclone Murasu is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra coast late Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday.
by Neha Suraj Mathew, Anish Mondal, Sreenivas Janyala · The Indian Express · JoinOdisha Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said continued rainfall had increased the risk of landslides in the area.
“Rain continuing for close to a week now has increased the possibility of landslides. Nearly 150 places in Gajapati have been identified as landslide-prone and people are being shifted from there,” Patil said. He said 1.50 lakh people had been moved to safety in Ganjam district amid the prevailing flood situation.
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Andhra Pradesh is bracing for Cyclone Murasu, which is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra coast late Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday. Named “Murasu”, meaning “war drum”, the severe cyclonic storm is forecast to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11:30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The cyclonic storm, which comes less than a week after Cyclone Arnab killed six people and damaged dozens of houses and crops, is expected to bring sustained winds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, at the time of landfall.
State authorities have begun evacuating people from vulnerable areas along the coast. “Around 2,000 people have been evacuated, and the process is continuing. We are planning to evacuate some 30,000 people,” Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, told news agency Reuters.
Meanwhile, Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to remain fully prepared for relief and rescue operations in view of another cyclone threat.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places in Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated places on November 4.
In Tamil Nadu, Telangana, South Chhattisgarh, and South Odisha, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places on November 2, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.
Schools in Chennai will remain closed on Monday as the IMD has issued an orange alert, warning of very heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm in the city.
Live Updates
Nov 2, 2026 10:00 PM IST
Odisha readies 506 shelters in Koraput, shuts schools
Nodal officers have been appointed in every Odisha village to coordinate preparedness and emergency response measures, while public awareness campaigns are being conducted through loudspeakers.
In Koraput district, around 500 people have so far moved to permanent shelters. The administration has kept 506 shelters ready, of which three in Kotpad, Borigumma and Laxmipur are operational.
"This time, the focus is on the five districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri and Kandhamal," an official told PTI, adding that schools and Anganwadi centres have been closed on Tuesday.
Educational institutions in Malkangiri and Kandhamal districts will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 09:50 PM IST
Odisha on alert as Murasu nears, Gajapati faces landslide risk
"Rain continuing for close to a week now has increased the possibility of landslides. Nearly 150 places in Gajapati have been identified as landslide-prone and people are being shifted from there," Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said.
Patil said 1.50 lakh people had been moved to safety in Ganjam district amid the prevailing flood situation.
Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said eight districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Puri — were vulnerable to heavy rainfall from the approaching cyclone.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 09:48 PM IST
Odisha evacuates 1.6 lakh as Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast
The Odisha government has moved more than 1.60 lakh people to safety and deployed disaster response teams in five southern districts as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approaches the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coast.
Officials said the government plans to evacuate 3.33 lakh people by 10 pm. The state is still recovering from Cyclone Arnab, which killed at least six people in floods and landslides last week.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 07:32 PM IST
Andhra power utilities on high alert ahead of Cyclone Murasu
The Andhra Pradesh Energy Department has placed power utilities on high alert ahead of Cyclone Murasu, directing officials to take precautionary measures to minimise damage to electricity infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Energy Minister G Ravi Kumar on Monday instructed power distribution companies to remain particularly vigilant in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, which are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall and experience strong winds under the cyclone’s influence.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 06:17 PM IST
19 flights cancelled across three Andhra airports as Cyclone Murasu nears coast
At least 19 domestic flights were cancelled across three airports in Andhra Pradesh on Monday as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu approached the coast.
Vijayawada Airport director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said IndiGo had cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express two.
Four flights were cancelled at Visakhapatnam Airport, while Tirupati Airport director D Boominathan said IndiGo had cancelled flights to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru.
Murasu is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur in the intervening night of November 2-3, the
IMD said.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 05:31 PM IST
Schools, colleges shut in Nellore, Prakasam on November 3
In view of the cyclone warning and the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall, a holiday has been declared on Tuesday, November 3, for all government, private and aided schools, Anganwadi centres, and government and private junior colleges in Nellore and Prakasam districts.
-Sreenivas Janyala reports from Hyderabad
Nov 2, 2026 05:30 PM IST
Central team visits Andhra Pradesh to assess Cyclone Arnab damage
As Cyclone Murasu approaches, a central team is visiting Andhra Pradesh on Monday to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall in the state on October 28.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who held discussions with the team, said the preliminary estimate of damage caused by Arnab stood at Rs 4,526 crore.
Naidu urged the central team to ensure swift assistance to the state.
-Sreenivas Janyala reports from Hyderabad
Picture credits: PTI Photo
Nov 2, 2026 05:22 PM IST
IndiGo issues flight advisory as Cyclone Murasu disrupts operations
IndiGo issued a travel advisory as adverse weather conditions associated with Cyclone Murasu disrupted flight operations in Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati.
The airline warned passengers of possible extended waiting times on the ground and onboard and advised affected travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
IndiGo said affected passengers were being notified on the mobile numbers provided at the time of booking and that its crew and ground teams were assisting travellers.
The airline said it was coordinating with authorities and monitoring the situation, with the safety of passengers and crew as its top priority.
Nov 2, 2026 05:14 PM IST
Nellore collector urges people against panic buying ahead of Murasu
Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla has urged people not to panic-buy petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders or essential commodities amid Cyclone Murasu, saying there are adequate stocks in the district. As of November 2, the district has 1,710 kilolitres of petrol and 2,832 kilolitres of diesel across 267 petrol pumps, along with 21,385 LPG cylinders at 57 outlets, he said.
The district also has 10,832.215 metric tonnes of rice and 374.727 metric tonnes of sugar stocked across 1,470 fair-price shops under the Public Distribution System.
Shukla said supplies were continuing uninterrupted and warned of strict action against anyone creating an artificial shortage or selling essential commodities at inflated prices.
He urged people to buy only what they need and not act on rumours.
-Sreenivas Janyala reports from Hyderabad
Nov 2, 2026 05:06 PM IST
Heavy rain lashes Tirumala as Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast
Heavy rain is lashing several parts of Andhra Pradesh under the influence of Cyclone Murasu, with Tirumala also witnessing heavy showers.
TTD Additional Executive Officer Venkaiah Chowdary said proactive arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of devotees.
Officials are inspecting the Tirupati-Tirumala ghat road for possible rockfalls and will decide whether a temporary closure is required.
-Sreenivas Janyala reports from Hyderabad
Nov 2, 2026 04:57 PM IST
Andhra's Nellore collector urges residents to stay indoors as Murasu nears
Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla has appealed to residents to remain indoors as Cyclone Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.
"We have opened cyclone shelters. People whose houses are inundated can move to the nearest cyclone shelter, where food, milk and water will be provided," Shukla said.
-Sreenivas Janyala reports from Hyderabad
Nov 2, 2026 04:54 PM IST
Odisha farmers fear further crop damage as Murasu approaches
Farmers in Odisha are worried about further crop damage as Cyclone Murasu threatens fresh heavy rain, days after Cyclone Arnab damaged standing crops in several districts.
Standing crops in Ganjam, Kandhamal and Gajapati were damaged by heavy rainfall and flooding triggered by Arnab, with paddy crops, particularly in Ganjam, among the worst affected, officials said.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in southern Odisha, including Ganjam and Gajapati, on Tuesday and Wednesday under the influence of Murasu, which is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The fresh rain forecast has heightened concerns among farmers struggling to save their remaining standing crops.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 04:41 PM IST
NDRF deploys 3 teams to Andhra Pradesh ahead of Murasu
As Andhra Pradesh braces for Cyclone Murasu, three NDRF teams comprising 90 personnel have been deployed from the 4th Battalion near Arakkonam to support disaster management efforts in the neighbouring state.
Each team comprises 30 personnel and is being sent to areas including Nellore, Prakasam and Markapuram to assist with rescue and relief operations.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 04:37 PM IST
Railways cancels 9 trains as Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast
In view of Cyclone Murasu, the Railways has cancelled nine trains as the severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Murasu is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur on November 3.
Wind speeds are expected to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts of up to 120 kmph.
Nov 2, 2026 04:34 PM IST
IMD warning for fishermen against venturing into the sea amid Cyclone Murasu
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised fishermen not to venture into the following areas in view of Cyclone Murasu:
Southeast Bay of Bengal on November 2
Southwest Bay of Bengal till the morning of November 4
West Central Bay of Bengal till the afternoon of November 4
Along & off the Andhra Pradesh coast from the morning of November 2 to the afternoon of November 4
Along & off North Tamil Nadu- Puducherry coasts till 4th November morning.
Adjoining Areas of Northwest Bay of Bengal and along & off South Odisha coast from evening of 2nd to 4th November afternoon
(Picture credits: ANI Photo)
Nov 2, 2026 04:30 PM IST
Cyclone Murasu's storm surge of up to 1.5 metres likely along Andhra coast
A storm surge of about 1.0-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the landfall of Cyclone Murasu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The maximum peak surge is expected in Bapatla, as well as in Krishna and Prakasam districts.
Nov 2, 2026 04:27 PM IST
Rainfall warning issued for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rainfall warning for several areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, South Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh in view of the weather system over the Bay of Bengal in the wake of Cyclone Murasu.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places in Andhra Pradesh on November 2 and 3, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Heavy rainfall is also expected at isolated places on November 4.
In Tamil Nadu, Telangana, South Chhattisgarh, and South Odisha, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places on November 2, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.
Nov 2, 2026 04:21 PM IST
Tamil Nadu deploys 500 power personnel to Andhra
Following a request from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed 500 electricity department personnel in 25 teams to assist Andhra Pradesh in restoring power supply disrupted by Cyclone Murasu, state Electricity Minister R Nirmal Kumar said on Monday.
The state government has also dispatched essential equipment to the neighbouring state to support power restoration, Kumar said.
-Inputs from PTI
Nov 2, 2026 04:20 PM IST
Cyclone Murasu set to hit Andhra coast tonight
According to the IMD, Cyclone Murasu will bring sustained winds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, at the time of landfall.
The national weather agency has advised the complete suspension of shipping and fishing operations off the Andhra Pradesh coast and in the southwest Bay of Bengal until the afternoon of November 3.
Nov 2, 2026 04:18 PM IST
Cyclone Murasu heads towards Andhra coast, landfall tonight
Cyclone Murasu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is likely to make landfall off the southern Andhra Pradesh coast late on November 3. The cyclone is currently located between east-southeast of Nellore and northeast of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone was moving at a speed of 22 kmph on Monday morning.
Nov 2, 2026 04:16 PM IST
Andhra Pradesh braces for another cyclone less than a week after Arnab
Andhra Pradesh is bracing for another cyclone less than a week after Cyclone Arnab killed six people and damaged homes and crops.
Cyclone Murasu, meaning “war drum”, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11.30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
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