Andhra Pradesh on High Alert as Cyclone Murasu Approaches

Published On 2 Nov 2026

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have launched an urgent, large-scale evacuation effort as the state braces for Cyclone Murasu, which is projected to strike the coastline near Ongole late Monday night. The impending storm arrives just days after the region suffered the impact of Cyclone Arnab, leaving the state’s disaster response teams in a state of heightened readiness.

Mass Evacuation Efforts Underway

Disaster management officials have begun moving thousands of residents from low-lying coastal zones to safer ground. Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), confirmed that approximately 2,000 individuals had already been relocated by Monday morning. The state government is aiming to reach a target of 30,000 evacuations to prevent loss of life.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the cyclone will make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, during the window of 11:30 pm on Monday and 4:00 am on Tuesday. Officials expect the storm to manifest as a severe cyclonic system, packing wind speeds of 100 to 110 km/h, with occasional gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.

Infrastructure and Power Grid Concerns

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has chaired emergency meetings to oversee the state’s preparedness. Addressing the logistical challenges, the Chief Minister warned of significant infrastructure risks, specifically estimating that between 6,000 and 8,000 electrical poles could be uprooted. Such damage would pose a catastrophic threat to the region’s power supply, potentially plunging affected districts into darkness for an extended period.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan highlighted the gravity of the situation on social media, identifying Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, and Krishna as the districts most likely to face the brunt of the storm.

Multi-Agency Response Strategy

To mitigate the impact, the state has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan. Six teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)—supplemented by three additional units arriving from Tamil Nadu—have joined seven state-level disaster response teams. These forces have been strategically positioned to conduct rescue operations and restore access to storm-stricken areas.

Local administration officials in Nellore have issued strict warnings, prohibiting fishermen from venturing into the Bay of Bengal until further notice. Meanwhile, the educational sector has been brought to a temporary halt, with schools ordered to remain closed across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

A Region in Recovery

While Cyclone Murasu is anticipated to be less intense than Cyclone Arnab, which claimed six lives and devastated crops and housing just last week, local authorities are taking no chances. The meteorological department predicts that the adverse weather will persist, with heavy rainfall expected to impact Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh through Wednesday, even as the cyclone begins to lose momentum. Residents in the path of the storm have been urged to follow official evacuation orders immediately as the coastline prepares for another difficult night of severe weather.

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