Published Nov 01, 2026 | 6:57 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 01, 2026 | 7:11 PM
Cyclone Murasu is likely to cross the Andhra coast near Bapatla on the morning of Tuesday, 3 November.
Synopsis: The State Disaster Management Authority stated that Cyclone Murasu has been moving at 23 kmph over the past six hours. It is currently centered 560 km from Chennai, 660 km from Visakhapatnam, 640 km from Machilipatnam, 630 km from Nellore, and 680 km from Ongole.
A depression formed in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and further into a severe cyclonic storm, ‘Murasu’. It is likely to cross the coast near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh on the morning of Tuesday, 3 November.
Disaster Management Department officials warned of likely gale-force winds reaching speeds of 100 to 110 kmph during landfall.
Under the cyclone’s influence, moderate to heavy rains are likely in the south and central coastal districts on Monday, 2 November, with indications of very heavy rainfall in isolated places. Officials stated that heavy to very heavy rains are expected across several areas on November 3 and 4.
Cyclone Murasu comes close on the heels of Cyclone Arnab, which left at least seven dead and wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh.
India has named the cyclone ‘Murasu’, meaning ‘war drum’ in Tamil.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) stated that Cyclone Murasu has been moving at 23 kmph over the past six hours. It is currently centered 560 km from Chennai, 660 km from Visakhapatnam, 640 km from Machilipatnam, 630 km from Nellore, and 680 km from Ongole.
Under the influence of Cyclone Murasu, heavy to very heavy rains are likely across South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions for three days. As strong gusty winds are expected during landfall, officials advised the public to take adequate precautions.
The Disaster Management Authority warned fishermen not to venture into the sea for fishing. SDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain advised the public to stay alert and take necessary safety measures.
Officials have identified 20 mandals likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall, including nine in Eluru district, five in Krishna district, five in NTR district, and one mandal in Bapatla district. On Tuesday, the average district rainfall is projected to reach approximately 179 mm in Eluru, 163 mm in Krishna, 161 mm in NTR, 147 mm in West Godavari, 119 mm in Guntur, and 104 mm in Bapatla.
Officials have prepared estimates regarding flood inflows into reservoirs and streams. A flood inflow of around 32,500 cusecs is expected at Budameru on Tuesday, alongside heavy flood inflows into Yerrakalva, Gonelavagu, Jalleru, Pampa, and other reservoirs.
Given the strong winds accompanying the cyclone, officials estimated potential damage to the power supply network. They noted that approximately 12,102 to 15,128 electric poles are at risk of being damaged across 12 districts in the state. The CM instructed officials to make necessary arrangements to prevent disruptions to the power supply.
The Health Department has arranged 13,165 emergency beds, stocked essential medicines and kept 733 ambulances on standby. As many as 6,870 pregnant women due for delivery between November 1 and 10 have been identified, with 493 already shifted to nearby hospitals.
Also Read: Seven killed in Cyclone Arnab-related incidents
The Andhra Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Department has deployed 1,688 medical teams and established 116 relief camps in districts likely to be affected by Cyclone Murasu, as the state stepped up its healthcare preparedness ahead of the cyclone.
According to a press release issued on Sunday, 1 November, the department has arranged 13,165 emergency beds, stocked essential medicines and made available 43,672 doses of anti-snake venom to deal with potential medical emergencies during heavy rainfall and flooding.
The department has also kept 733 emergency ambulances under the 108 service, 300 Thalli-Bidda Express vehicles under the 102 service for maternal and child transportation, and 721 mobile medical units under the 104 service on standby.
Special arrangements are being made to ensure that pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates reach hospitals before weather conditions deteriorate.
The department has identified 6,870 pregnant women whose expected delivery dates fall between 1 November and 10 November. Of these, 493 women have already been shifted to nearby healthcare facilities. Arrangements are being made to relocate the remaining women depending on the severity of the situation in their respective residential areas.
The department has coordinated with nearby government and private hospitals to facilitate deliveries and ensure that pregnant women have access to medical care during the cyclone.
Preparations have also been completed across 121 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) located in coastal areas.
To prevent disruptions to healthcare services due to power outages, generators and alternative power arrangements have been installed in 1,833 medical facilities across the state.
Essential medicines required for emergency medical services have been stocked at healthcare facilities, while surveillance centres have been established at the state and district levels to monitor infectious diseases round the clock.
The department has also initiated preventive measures against diseases that could spread following heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly those associated with contaminated drinking water, mosquito breeding and unsafe food.
Sanitation arrangements have been made at hospitals and relief camps to minimise the risk of disease outbreaks.
Chlorine tablets have been stocked for water purification, while district medical and health officials are coordinating with the Panchayat Raj, Rural Water Supply and municipal departments to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
The department said it was monitoring the situation continuously and had put emergency medical services on standby to respond to health-related emergencies arising from the cyclone.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
