Published Nov 02, 2026 | 3:04 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2026 | 3:04 PM
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting as Cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast. (Supplied)
Even before the state has fully recovered from the impact of Cyclone Arnab, Andhra Pradesh faces the threat of another cyclone.
Cyclone Murasu, which formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. At 10:00 AM on 2 November, it was centered 160 km from Nellore, 180 km from Chennai, 180 km from Kavali, 210 km from Ongole, and 240 km from Machilipatnam. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) revealed that the storm has been moving at a speed of 22 kmph over the past six hours.
While it was initially estimated to make landfall between Bapatla and Machilipatnam, officials stated in their latest assessments that due to a change in the cyclone’s trajectory, it is now likely to cross the coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapuram.
It is expected to make landfall on 3 November. At the time of landfall, strong gale-force winds are likely to blow at speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
Also Read: Cyclone Murasu hurtles towards Andhra coast, landfall likely on early Tuesday
Under the influence of the cyclone, officials have warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts on 2 and 3 November.
Heavy to very heavy rains, with extremely heavy falls at isolated places, are forecast for Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram, and Nellore districts.
Very heavy rains may occur in parts of Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, NTR, Palnadu, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts.
APSDMA also stated that heavy rains are likely at isolated places in Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Kakinada, Konaseema, Nandyal, YSR Kadapa, and Annamayya districts.
In light of the cyclone, six NDRF and seven SDRF teams have been kept on standby in advance. The state government, Real Time Governance Society (RTGS), and disaster management agencies are continuously monitoring the situation. Officials are advising the public to remain vigilant, follow official warnings, and stay safely indoors.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting from the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) with officials and district collectors regarding the impact of Cyclone Murasu and the government’s preparedness.
He inquired about the precautionary measures being taken in the cyclone-affected areas. Officials briefed the CM that moderate to heavy rains are likely from South Coastal Andhra down to the lower districts and Rayalaseema regions.
They estimated that rainfall in the catchment areas of the Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala projects could trigger flood inflows of around 13 to 15 TMC. Noting that most areas are returning to normalcy following the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, the CM instructed officials to tackle Cyclone Murasu effectively as well.
Officials explained that 31,000 electric poles had been mobilized to the field from Srikakulam to Krishna district during Cyclone Arnab. They estimated that strong winds from Cyclone Murasu could impact nearly 8,000 electric poles across South Coastal and Rayalaseema districts.
The Chief Minister placed special emphasis on water management in the cyclone-hit regions. He directed officials to take steps to effectively fill up tanks and ponds in Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore, Markapuram, and other areas.
He also advised them to act systematically to store water in reservoirs across the South Coastal and Rayalaseema basins.
Also Read: Seven killed in Cyclone Arnab-related incidents
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also held a review with officials from the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Rural Water Supply departments regarding the cyclone’s impact. Given the forecast of extremely heavy rains in Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Bapatla, and Krishna districts, he directed the respective district administrations to remain on high alert.
He instructed officials to immediately evacuate people from low-lying areas to safer locations and set up rehabilitation centers wherever necessary. He also called for restricting public movement near streams and rivulets and continuously monitoring flood inflows.
Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha held a teleconference with the collectors of the affected districts. She directed officials in South Coastal and Rayalaseema districts to remain vigilant and ordered the administrative machinery to stay on high alert for the next 48 hours.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu held a teleconference with top irrigation officials. With heavy rains forecast in the Krishna and Penna river basins, he advised officials in the erstwhile Guntur, Prakasam, and Nellore districts to stay alert.
He ordered that water inflows into reservoirs be monitored every two hours. Since heavy rains are expected in the Nagarjuna Sagar catchment area, he instructed officials to take precautionary measures anticipating flood inflows into the Gundlakamma and Rallapadu reservoirs.
Energy Minister Gottipati Ravikumar held a teleconference with the CMDs and Directors of the three DISCOMs to review cyclone preparedness. He ordered that electric poles, conductors, transformers, cables, and other equipment be kept ready in advance.
He advised them to work with a target of restoring power supply within 48 hours if outages occur in cyclone-affected areas. Along with keeping necessary staff ready, he stated that arrangements are being made to bring in additional personnel and machinery from Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister BC Janardhan Reddy alerted department officials in view of the cyclone. He advised taking special precautions in Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts. Since roads, bridges, culverts, and causeways are at risk of damage due to heavy rains, he ordered continuous monitoring.
To help people in Cyclone Murasu-affected areas report their problems to the government, ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp governance services have been made available. Citizens can report issues such as power outages, fallen trees or collapsed walls, and waterlogging via the number 9552300009.
Users need to send a ‘Hi’ message to this number and select ‘Murasu Cyclone Issues’ from the service options. Subsequently, they must choose the ‘Report Issue’, ‘Confirm’, and ‘Registration’ options, and enter their name, district, mandal, and details of the problem. Photos can also be uploaded if necessary. RTGS officials stated that complaints will be forwarded to the concerned officials for prompt resolution.
For emergency assistance, officials advised the public to contact the toll-free numbers 112, 1070, and 18004250101.
Six fishermen who were stranded in danger at sea after their boat’s engine failed amid Cyclone Murasu have safely reached the shore. They have been identified as Garikana Seenu, Garikana Krishna, Meruga Durgaprasad, Pikki Kodanda, Maidipindi Jaggarao, and Chokka Devudu from Vadarevu in Chirala mandal of Bapatla district.
Fisheries department officials stated that all of them have currently reached the shore safely near Pathakadali. Officials spoke to the fishermen personally to inquire about their well-being and subsequently made arrangements to transport them safely back to their hometowns.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
