Severe Cyclonic Storm “Murasu” has crossed the South Andhra Pradesh coast, initiating its landfall process late Monday night.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm struck with sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 km/h, featuring gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
According to updates from the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the severe cyclone was centered over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal prior to moving inland. Reports recorded on Monday afternoon placed the system approximately 100 km east of Nellore, 120 km southeast of Kavali, and 160 km northeast of Chennai, advancing northwestwards at a speed of 10 km/h over the previous six hours.
Gradual Weakening Forecasted Over Next 48 Hours
IMD scientists have outlined the system’s trajectory and expected weakening phase following landfall:
- Nov 2 (Night) – Nov 3 (Early Morning): Murasu maintains Severe Cyclonic Storm intensity with winds between 100–110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h during the landfall phase.
- Nov 3: As it moves inland in a north-westerly direction, the storm will weaken into a standard Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds dropping to 80–90 km/h, further deteriorating into a Deep Depression by Tuesday evening as it crosses the Andhra border.
- Nov 4: The system will weaken into a Depression by Wednesday morning and transition into a Well-Marked Low-Pressure Area by evening.
- Nov 5: The system is expected to fully dissipate into a Low-Pressure Area by Thursday morning.
Advisory for Coastal Residents and Fishermen
IMD Senior Scientist Dr. Umashankar Das warned that despite the gradual weakening, continuous heavy rainfall and strong winds will persist across coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha through the afternoon of November 4.
Authorities have advised fishermen strictly against venturing into the deep sea until November 4. Local administrations in both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha remain on high alert to handle potential localized flooding, waterlogging, and tree uprooting in vulnerable coastal pockets.
