AMARAVATI, India: At least two people were killed after severe cyclonic storm Murasu made landfall in India’s southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, damaging crops, homes and power infrastructure, officials said.
The storm, the second to hit the region within a week, brought heavy rain and strong winds after crossing the coast near Ongole in Prakasam district in the early hours of November 3.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Murasu crossed the coast between 3:30 am and 5:30 am local time, packing sustained winds of 100-110 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 120 kph.
The Hindu reported, citing officials, that the cyclone damaged standing crops across more than 52,000 hectares, affected over 300 homes and disrupted power infrastructure. Crops in 15 districts were inundated, with Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyal among the worst-hit areas.
The storm also uprooted thousands of trees and damaged around 2,750 electricity poles, according to the report.
The IMD said Murasu had weakened from a severe cyclonic storm into a cyclonic storm as it moved north-northwestwards over coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The Cyclonic Storm “Murasu” [Pronunciation: Murasu]” over south coastal Andhra Pradesh moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours, weakened into a Deep Depression and lay centered at 2030 hours IST of today the 03rd November, 2026 over the Coastal Andhra Pradesh, near Latitude 16.3°N and Longitude 80.0°E, about 70 km west-southwest of Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), 60 km south-southwest of Nandigama (Andhra Pradesh), 110 km southeast of Nalgonda (Telangana), 110 km south of Khammam (Telangana) and 180 km south-southwest of Bhadrachalam (Telangana).
The maximum sustained wind speed was 55-65 gusting to 75 kmph at 2030 hrs IST of today, the 3rd November 2026.
Continuing to move nearly north-northwestwards, it is likely to weaken into a depression (wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph) by morning of tomorrow, the 4th November, 2026.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 3, 2026
In its latest update, the weather department said the storm was centred about 40 kilometres west-northwest of Bapatla. It was expected to continue moving north-northwestwards and weaken further into a deep depression.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in several areas ahead of the storm’s landfall. The weather department warned of further heavy rain, possible flooding in low-lying areas and disruption to daily life.
Cyclone Murasu has made landfall in Andhra Pradesh with winds reaching 120 kmph. Another reminder of the vulnerability of India’s eastern coastline to tropical cyclones. Hope everyone stays safe.
#CycloneMurasu https://t.co/srhoRRRXVN
— Infinity (@_Photon___) November 3, 2026
It also forecast a storm surge of up to 1.5 metres along parts of the coast.
Authorities began evacuating residents on Monday and planned to move around 30,000 people to safety in vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh.
Schools were closed, while train services and some flights were suspended in affected areas ahead of the storm.
The cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal, a major breeding ground for tropical storms that have repeatedly caused severe damage along the coasts of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Murasu followed Cyclone Arnab, which struck parts of Andhra Pradesh the previous week, damaging homes and infrastructure and inundating about 200,000 acres of cropland.
