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10,805 Displaced, 132 Mandals Hit; Andhra Grapples With Cyclone Murasu's Aftermath

Cyclone Murasu Impact: Coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed uprooted trees, damaged electricity poles, inundated roads and wrecked fishing boats as the cyclone crossed.

By Ashi Dudeja

Published: Nov 03, 2026, 04:46 PM | Updated: Nov 03, 2026, 04:47 PM

Cyclone Murasu Impact
Cyclone Murasu Impact: In Photo: Cyclone Murasu in process of Making Landfall in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. | Courtesy: IMD, Mniistry of Earth Sciences

Cyclone Murasu Impact: Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu has crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, leaving a trail of devastation behind. Crops across 30,661 acres in 15 districts have reportedly been damaged, 132 mandals have been affected, and nearly 10,805 people have been displaced. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm would weaken into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday noon and further into a deep depression by midnight.

The landfall process of Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu commenced over south coastal Andhra Pradesh in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, the IMD said. The storm crossed the coast near Ongole, bringing torrential rain and winds of 100–110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, and causing widespread damage across coastal districts.

A Red Message had been issued on November 2 for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts, along with a post-landfall outlook. 

 

What Happened Through the Night

The landfall process began after midnight on November 3, with the storm's outer rain bands reaching the coast first. By around 2.30 am, Murasu was close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, about 30 km southeast of Ongole. The inner spiral band entered land shortly afterwards, followed by the wall-cloud region. The IMD said the cyclone crossed the coast between 3.30 am and 5.30 am, with its centre over south coastal Andhra Pradesh by approximately 5.30 am.

By 8.30 am, the system was centred about 30 km north-northeast of Ongole and 40 km southwest of Bapatla, moving north-northwestwards at 8 kmph. The IMD forecast that Murasu would move inland and weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon, followed by a deep depression by midnight on November 3.

Damage Along the Coast

Coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed uprooted trees, damaged electricity poles, inundated roads and wrecked fishing boats as the cyclone crossed. Vehicles were stranded on national highways due to heavy rain and poor visibility. According to the state government's preliminary estimates, crops across 30,661 acres in 15 districts were damaged. Paddy, cotton and corn were among the worst-affected crops, with Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyal districts reporting major damage. The cyclone also affected 132 mandals across the state.

The cyclone displaced thousands of people. A total of 10,805 people were moved to cyclone shelters, while the government set up 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets. Relief operations involved NDRF and SDRF teams, along with 613 generators. The Fire Department deployed 185 teams to remove uprooted trees and clear waterlogged areas.

Health precautions were also extensive before the storm made landfall. Authorities shifted 3,066 pregnant women and 1,008 nursing mothers to hospitals, dispatched 725 medical teams across 13 districts and kept 362 ambulances on standby.

The NDRF reported that no casualties had been recorded in Andhra Pradesh so far due to Cyclone Murasu. Mohsen Shahedi, DIG of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), told reporters at a press briefing that the federal contingency force had deployed teams in the coastal state, which was among the worst-affected by the cyclone.

He added that about 1.75 lakh people living in coastal Andhra Pradesh had been affected by the cyclone and that NDRF teams were present on the ground to assist them. In Prakasam district, fisherman Krishnamma of Kothapatnam told PTI that it was the "most dangerous cyclone" he had witnessed in 14 years. He said around 400 families from his village had been evacuated with the help of the government and NDRF teams. Another resident, Mangamma, said one of her three boats had been destroyed.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that a boat carrying seven fishermen from Vodarevu in Bapatla had safely reached the P. Kadpalem shore.

 

Rainfall and Warnings Ahead

Between 8.30 am on Monday and 8.30 am on Tuesday, Bapatla recorded 222.4 mm of rainfall, followed by Narasapur at 198.6 mm, Ongole at 120.2 mm, Machilipatnam at 83.9 mm and Puducherry at 65.4 mm, according to PTI. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy showers, over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on November 3. Isolated very heavy rainfall is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on November 4.

Heavy rain is also likely at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Mahe, Odisha, Rayalaseema, and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. The IMD has also warned of thundersqualls, with wind speeds of 60–70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph, at isolated places over Rayalaseema.

Centre Assures Support to State

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and assured him of all possible assistance from the Centre. In a post on X, Shah said NDRF and SDRF teams were already on the ground, helping those affected, and that the Government of India stood with the people of Andhra Pradesh.

 

The Andhra Pradesh government has released Rs 37 crore to the affected districts. Chief Minister Naidu reviewed preparedness with officials, while the state disaster management authority advised people in affected areas to remain indoors.

 Odisha and Neighbouring States

Odisha's southern districts received light rainfall as Murasu made landfall in Andhra Pradesh. The state remains on high alert, particularly over the risk of landslides, and has shifted more than 1.60 lakh people to safety, PTI reported.

The IMD's warnings also cover south Odisha on November 3 and south Chhattisgarh on November 3 and 4, as the weakening system moves inland.

 

Tags:
#imd #andhra pradesh #Odisha
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