IMD update: Cyclone Murasu forms, to intensify as severe cyclone

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The storm may move towards south Andhra Pradesh coast by the early hours of Tuesday before crossing the coast as a severe cyclone along the 375-km stretch between Nellore and Narsapur

By Vinson Kurian

Updated - November 01, 2026 at 02:28 PM.

Cyclone Murasu lay menacingly close to Chennai coast on Sunday afternoon. It will intensify into a severe cyclone and race away towards south Coastal Andhra Pradesh by early Tuesday morning. | Photo Credit: www.meteologix.com/in

The deep depression over south-west and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with speed of 23 km/hr during past six hours ending 11.30 am on Sunday morning, and intensified into cyclone Murasu (contributed by India as per naming protocol).

The cyclone lay over south-west and adjoining west-central Bay, about 560 km east-southeast of Chennai; 660 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam; 630 km east-southeast of Nellore; 640 km south-east of Machilipatnam; and 680 km east-southeast of Ongole (all in Andhra Pradesh).

Severe cyclone by Monday

India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects Murasu to intensify further into a severe cyclone over west-central Bay around tomorrow (Monday) morning.

Thereafter, it may move northwestwards and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclone with wind speeds of 100-110 km/hr gusting to 120 km/hr between Nellore and Narsapur during midnight to early hours (0400 hrs) of Tuesday. 

Earlier on Sunday morning, the previous day’s depression over west-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression before becoming cyclone “Murasu.

Deja vu for Andhra Pradesh’s coast

Murasu would be the second cyclone over the Bay during the ongoing north-east monsoon. Its approach comes at a particularly vulnerable time for coastal Andhra Pradesh after predecessor very severe cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur on October 28, leaving the region to contend with its aftermath. Murasu now threatens the coastal stretch immediately south of the areas battered by Arnab, raising concerns over the prospect of another round of damaging winds and heavy rainfall even as recovery efforts continue.

Intensification outlook

Updates available at 8.30 am on Sunday from artificial intelligence-based forecasting models had pointed to the possibility of rapid intensification within six to 12 hours. Other models, however, indicated a more gradual strengthening, with the system attaining the next stages of development by Monday morning.

The storm has a favourable oceanic and atmospheric environment to draw upon. Sea-surface temperatures of 29-30°C provide abundant oceanic heat and moisture, while low to moderate easterly vertical wind shear should its vertical structure to remain organised. A favourable upper-level outflow environment will allow air to escape efficiently from the top of the storm, helping its further intensify and help it sustain severe cyclonic strength.

Extremely heavy rain

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast an expanding zone of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as Murasu approaches the coast, with Coastal Andhra Pradesh facing the greatest threat. Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and south Odisha are also expected to receive substantial rainfall. The detailed rainfall outlook is as follows:

Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated places on Sunday. The intensity is expected to increase on Monday, with light to moderate rainfall at most places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on Tuesday, followed by heavy rainfall at isolated places on Wednesday.

Rayalaseema: Light to moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Monday and Tuesday.

Tamil Nadu: Light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated places on Monday and Tuesday.

Telangana: Light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated places on Monday and Tuesday.

South Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated places on Monday. The intensity is expected to increase on Tuesday and Wednesday, with light to moderate rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. 

Published on November 1, 2026

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