Cyclone Murasu LIVE Updates: Strong winds blow away vote counting centre tents in Andhra’s Machilipatnam

The severe cyclonic storm has left a trail of destruction in coastal Andhra Pradesh, uprooting thousands of trees, damaging hundreds of electric poles, and wrecking fishing boats.

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process close to Ongole in Prakasam district in the early hours of Tuesday. The cyclone is currently over Westcentral Bay of Bengal close to south Andhra Pradesh coast and moving north-northwestwards. The cyclone also disrupted the vote counting for Andhra municipal polls as strong winds blew away tents at the counting venue at Krishna University. The district administration arranged special buses to transport staff, while municipal workers began urgent repairs to prevent further disruption.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel were also clearing uprooted trees from the highway to restore normal traffic movement.

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The cyclone is likely to move North-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by noon and further into a deep depression by Tuesday midnight.

The severe cyclonic storm has left a trail of destruction in coastal Andhra Pradesh, uprooting thousands of trees, damaging hundreds of electric poles, and wrecking fishing boats. Andhra districts including Bapatla and Prakasam witnessed heavy rainfall and gusty winds, causing extensive damage to standing crops and many places came under sheets of water.

The landfall process began at around 1 am on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall, accompanied by gale winds reaching speeds of up to 110 kmph and gusting up to 120 kmph. Under the influence of the cyclone, heavy rain struck several places in the southern state.

The met department warned of heavy rain across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh throughout most of Tuesday. A storm surge of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate low-lying areas of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh until Tuesday morning, with the maximum peak surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts, the IMD added.

Live Updates
Nov 3, 2026 03:18 PM IST
Chandrababy Naidu thanks Centre for support as Cyclone Murasu disrupts life in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday thanked the Centre for its "prompt support and solidarity" during severe cyclonic storm Murasu, which has damaged standing crops across thousands of acres in 15 districts and disrupted normal life.

Naidu said the state machinery was working in close coordination with Central teams to carry out rescue and relief operations and clear roads.

"Dear Amit Shah ji, my heartfelt thanks for the Centre's prompt support and solidarity during cyclone Murasu. Our state machinery is working in complete coordination with central teams to execute rescue, relief, and road clearing without delay," Naidu said in a post on X, replying to Shah's message.

"Together, we will ensure absolute safety and swift recovery across Andhra Pradesh," the TDP chief added. PTI

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Nov 3, 2026 02:39 PM IST
Severe damage to crops in Andhra's Ongole due to Cyclone Murasu

Salt pans and agricultural fields in and around Ongole have suffered extensive damage amid heavy rainfall and strong winds as a result of Cyclone Murasu.

Meanwhile, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mahapatra said the cyclone is expected to move slowly north-north-westwards during the next 12 hours. It may weaken into a cyclonic storm today afternoon, and into a deep depression by midnight of today. "By tomorrow morning, it will become a depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas. So under its influence, the sea condition is still high to very high, that means there are waves of height of about 9 to 10 meters over the mid-sea

Nov 3, 2026 01:28 PM IST
Cyclone Murasu latest update: Winds up to 105 kmph continue to batter Andhra, heavy rainfall likely to continue, says IMD

Cyclonic Storm Murasu is currently located 50 km north of Ongole, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Wind speeds have reduced to 85-95 kmph, gusting up to 105 kmph. Heavy rainfall is likely over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 12 hours.

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Nov 3, 2026 01:26 PM IST
Cyclone Murasu weakens but flood-like situation hits several regions

As Cyclone Murasu showed signs of abatement, flood-like situation emerged in several areas of Kothapatnam and Ongole in Andhra Pradesh as heavy rainfall continued to batter the region. Coastal areas of Chirala, Bapatla, Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, and Nellore have also been heavily impacted.

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Nov 3, 2026 01:09 PM IST
NTR district situation under control, rains disrupt counting in Andhra's Machilipatnam

NTR district has reported no untoward incidents amid Cyclone Murasu's impact on the Andhra Pradesh coast, Collector G. Lakshmisha said on Tuesday, assuring residents that the administration was prepared and the situation remained under control.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Lakshmisha said officials were monitoring the Budameru catchment area and there was no immediate threat. Road-clearing and monitoring teams had been deployed, with no major roadblocks or disruptions reported across the district. He said around 6 mm of rainfall had been recorded over the preceding two hours. Authorities would continue monitoring conditions for the next 24 to 36 hours.

In Machilipatnam, persistent rain since Monday night inundated several areas and delayed counting arrangements as staff struggled to reach the centre.

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Strong winds blew away tents at the counting venue at Krishna University on November 3. The district administration arranged special buses to transport staff, while municipal workers began urgent repairs to prevent further disruption.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel were also clearing uprooted trees from the highway to restore normal traffic movement.

Nov 3, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Amit Shah assures all Central help to Andhra Pradesh amid Cyclone Murasu

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and offered all possible Central assistance amid Cyclone Murasu.

In a post on X, Shah said, "Already, NDRF and SDRF teams are on the ground, undertaking relief measures and standing as a support for the people in the cyclone-affected areas. The Government of India stands with the people of Andhra Pradesh with a firm resolve to face any kind of situation".

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Nov 3, 2026 11:49 AM IST
NASA image shows Cyclone Murasu in Bay of Bengal

A satellite image released by NASA shows Cyclone Murasu in Bay of Bengal. (Credit: NASA via AP)

Nov 3, 2026 11:41 AM IST
Chandrababu Naidu thanks DK Shivakumar for support in cyclone relief work

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday thanked the CM and people of Karnataka for timely support in dealing with Cyclone Murasu. Naidu made the remark in reaction to Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's post on X in which he said, "Our teams are on their way to Andhra Pradesh to support relief and restoration efforts in the cyclone-affected areas".

"Heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri D K Shivakumar Garu, and the people of Karnataka for standing with Andhra Pradesh during Cyclone Murasau. Your timely support in our hour of need will never be forgotten," Naidu said in a post on X.

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Nov 3, 2026 11:21 AM IST
Eye of cyclone Murasu crosses Andhra coast

The eye of the severe cyclonic storm Murasu has crossed the coast at 5.30 am on Tuesday and the rear end of the weather system continues to make landfall, a Met Department official told PTI. Cyclone Murasu formed over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh moved north to northwestwards with a speed of 8 kmph in the past six hours and lay centred over the same region at 8.30 am, the official said.

According to the Visakhapatnam-based Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) and IMD, the severe cyclonic storm was located 30 km north to northeast of Ongole, 40 km southwest of Bapatla, 90 km north to northeast of Kavali, 100 km south to southwest of Vijayawada and 120 km west to southwest of Machilipatnam. The storm was likely to move north to northwestwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday noon.

Nov 3, 2026 10:41 AM IST
Several trains cancelled, diverted due to Cyclone Murasu

Several trains have been cancelled or diverted due to Cyclone Murasu off the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The cancellations include:

Train No. 12711 Vijayawada–Dr MGR Chennai Central Pinakini Superfast Express
Train No. 12712 Dr MGR Chennai Central–Vijayawada Pinakini Superfast Express

The diverted trains include:

Train No. 12625 Thiruvananthapuram Central–New Delhi Kerala Superfast Express, which departed from Thiruvananthapuram Central and has been diverted via Renigunta, Yerraguntla, Nandyal, Guntur and Vijayawada, skipping stops at Gudur and Nellore.
Train No. 18638 SMVT Bengaluru–Hatia Express, which departed from Bengaluru and has been diverted via Renigunta, Yerraguntla, Nandyal, Guntur and Vijayawada, skipping stops at Gudur and Nellore.
Nov 3, 2026 08:58 AM IST
Where is Cyclone Murasu currently located? IMD shares details

Cyclone Murasu has crossed Southern Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur, near Ongole, between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The cyclone was centred over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, near Ongole, at 5.30 am. The severe cyclonic storm was about 40 km southwest of Bapatla and 130 km north of Nellore. The storm is expected to move north-northwestwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon, with wind speeds of 80-90 kmph.

The storm is likely to further weaken into a deep depression by Tuesday midnight, with wind speeds of 55-65 kmph and gusts of up to 75 kmph.

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Nov 3, 2026 08:15 AM IST
Cyclone Murasu makes landfall, heavy rain, winds batter Andhra coast

Severe cyclonic storm Murasu began its landfall process off Andhra coast close to Ongole in Prakasam district in the early hours of Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The cyclone started making landfall around 1 am on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall, accompanied by gale winds reaching speeds of up to 110 kmph and gusting up to 120 kmph.

"The landfall process commenced at 0100 hours IST on November 3. The forward sector of the wall cloud is entering the coast, while the wall cloud region is very close to the coast," the IMD said. The cyclone was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, close to the South Andhra Pradesh coast, about 40 km southeast of Ongole, 60 km northeast of Kavali and 70 km south of Bapatla, as of 0130 hours.

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.

Read the full article here.

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.

Read the full article here.

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.

Read the full article here.

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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