Cyclone Murasu: Andhra on alert, 19 flights cancelled, 120 kmph winds forecast

Cyclone Murasu is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast with heavy rain and strong winds forecast. Authorities have intensified precautions as flights are cancelled and restoration teams remain ready.Images captured by India's INSAT-3DS satellite, alongside international satellite-monitoring platforms. (Photo: IMD/Windy.zoom.earth)New Delhi,Nov 2, 2026 20:43 ISTSevere Cyclone Murasu is closing in on the Andhra Pradesh coast, with authorities warning of heavy rainfall and winds reaching 100-120 kmph during landfall. At least 19 domestic flights have already been cancelled across Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam airports, while Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert and take steps to prevent loss of life and property.According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), Murasu intensified over the Bay of Bengal and was moving at a speed of 12 kmph in the six hours leading up to its 6 pm update on Monday. The cyclone was centred around 80 km from Nellore, 90 km from Kavali, 120 km from Ongole, 150 km from Bapatla, 160 km from Tirupati and 190 km from Machilipatnam.The storm is likely to cross the coast near Ongole between midnight and early morning, the APSDMA said. The India Meteorological Department, meanwhile, forecast that the severe cyclonic storm would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur during the intervening night of November 2 and 3.Strong winds with speeds of 100-120 kmph are expected while the cyclone crosses the coast. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts. "People should stay safe at home. Extreme vigilance should be maintained," said Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the State Disaster Management Authority and CEO of RTGS.CHANDRABABU NAIDU DIRECTS OFFICIALS TO REMAIN ALERTAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to remain alert as moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts under the influence of Cyclone Murasu. During a review meeting, Naidu said the impact of Murasu on the state's coast was likely to be limited, as forecasts indicated that wind speeds and rainfall intensity would be lower compared to Cyclone Arnab."Naidu directed the administration to remain fully alert as moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts," an official release said.Recalling the precautionary arrangements made from Srikakulam to Bapatla to tackle Cyclone Arnab, the Chief Minister directed officials to take effective measures to manage the impact of Murasu as well. He stressed the need for robust arrangements to prevent any loss of life or property.Officials informed Naidu that Palnadu district was likely to receive the highest rainfall, at around 30 cm, followed by Prakasam with 24 cm and Markapuram with 19 cm. Krishna, Guntur, Eluru and Nellore districts could receive up to 9 cm of rainfall each.The Chief Minister called for special attention to water management, asking officials to fill tanks and reservoirs in Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore and Markapuram districts, which have been experiencing a rainfall deficit.He also directed officials to draw up an action plan to store rainwater in reservoirs across the South Coastal and Rayalaseema basins. They were asked to ensure the safety of 6,800 tanks across the six districts likely to be affected by the cyclone.Naidu called for the activation of Water Users Associations and asked officials to monitor the condition of tanks with public participation. He also directed them to use works undertaken under the Jaladhara programme to prevent tank breaches and take measures to avoid crop inundation caused by silt accumulation in drains.POWER RESTORATION TEAMS PUT ON STANDBYOfficials told the Chief Minister that 31,000 electricity poles had been dispatched to the field from Srikakulam to Krishna district. They estimated that around 8,000 electricity poles in the South Coastal and Rayalaseema districts could be affected by the winds associated with Murasu.Around 1,000 personnel were also arriving from Chennai to assist with power restoration work.Naidu directed officials to complete post-cyclone restoration work within 48 hours and expedite crop insurance compensation and input subsidy processes.Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said his state would deploy 500 skilled powermen, along with the necessary equipment, to Andhra Pradesh to help restore power infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab.Shivakumar said he had spoken to Naidu and assured him of Karnataka's support. He said more than 15,000 electricity poles had been uprooted by Arnab and that Andhra Pradesh had sought Karnataka's assistance in restoring the power infrastructure."As part of this support, Karnataka is deploying 500 skilled powermen, along with the necessary equipment, to expedite restoration works and facilitate the early restoration of electricity supply in the cyclone-affected areas," he said in a post on X.The state's Energy Department was coordinating the assistance, with Energy Minister K J George monitoring the situation. The teams would work with Andhra Pradesh authorities to ensure that personnel and equipment were deployed effectively.Referring to the approaching Cyclone Murasu, Shivakumar said Karnataka would continue to assess the situation and its impact over the next two days while extending all possible assistance.19 FLIGHTS CANCELLED IN ANDHRA PRADESHAt least 19 domestic flights were cancelled across three airports in Andhra Pradesh on Monday due to severe cyclonic storm Murasu.Vijayawada Airport Director M Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said IndiGo had cancelled 10 flights and Air India Express two. At Visakhapatnam Airport, four flights were cancelled, a GMR Group official said.Tirupati Airport Director D Boominathan said IndiGo had cancelled flights to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru.The cancellations come as the cyclone approaches the state's coast, with widespread rainfall expected across Andhra Pradesh.TAMIL NADU BRACES FOR HEAVY RAINFALLThe weather office has also warned of heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in Tamil Nadu as Murasu tracks towards the South Andhra Pradesh coast.Chennai and Thiruvallur are expected to remain under the threat of continuous heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rain is also forecast in Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Vellore and the Nilgiris districts. Rainfall intensity is expected to gradually subside after the storm completely crosses the coast.Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, Director V R Durai warned people in northern Tamil Nadu to remain on high alert on Monday night as the severe cyclone approached Andhra Pradesh.While the storm's core was tracking north-westwards towards the coast, its outer rain bands were expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to Chennai and Thiruvallur over the next 24 hours, he said.Durai said major sea surges were unlikely, but fishermen had been warned against venturing into the north coastal Tamil Nadu waters due to rough seas and squally winds that could reach 80 kmph.- EndsWith inputs from agencies