Cyclone Murasu: who named it, what IMD said, and how to stay safe

Who named it "Murasu"?

• India contributed the name. On the official WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones list published by IMD’s RSMC New Delhi (adopted April 2020), Murasu sits in Column 3 on the India row, after Gati and Tej (IMD RSMC name list; IMD press release, 28 Apr 2020; PIB, 28 Apr 2020).
• In Tamil, murasu means a traditional drum (a percussion instrument). RMC Chennai suggested it because such drums were historically used to spread public messages and alert people, including about danger (The Hindu, 2 Nov 2026; The Hindu, 28 Apr 2020).
• The Hindu (2 Nov 2026) notes this is the first Tamil name assigned to a north Indian Ocean cyclone since naming began in September 2004 (The Hindu).
• Names come from a shared list of 169 names (13 from each of 13 panel members). IMD’s RSMC New Delhi assigns the next unused name when a storm over the Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea reaches cyclone intensity. Names are used in order and are not reused (IMD RSMC name list; PIB, 28 Apr 2020).

What did IMD say about intensity, track and landfall?

Primary sources below. Check [mausam.imd.gov.in](https://mausam.imd.gov.in) for anything newer than this page.

Before landfall (IMD Hourly Update Bulletin No. 03, issued 1430 IST, 2 Nov 2026):

• Severe Cyclonic Storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal near 14.25°N, 80.95°E — about 110 km east-southeast of Nellore and 170 km southeast of Ongole.
• Intensity near the centre: 100–110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h.
• Forecast landfall: between Nellore and Narsapur, to the south of Ongole, from 2330 IST on 2 Nov to 0400 IST on 3 Nov, with the same wind speeds during landfall.
• Storm surge: about 1.5–2.0 m above astronomical tide over low-lying south coastal Andhra Pradesh at landfall, with peak surge expected over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts (IMD Bulletin No. 03).

As landfall began (IMD RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 12, issued 2000 UTC of 2 Nov 2026 = 0130 IST of 3 Nov, based on 1800 UTC / 2330 IST of 2 Nov):

• Centre near 15.1°N, 80.4°E — about 50 km southeast of Ongole, 50 km east-northeast of Kavali, 90 km north-northeast of Nellore.
• Still a Severe Cyclonic Storm: 100–110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h.
• “Landfall process commenced from 1930 UTC” (that is 0100 IST on 3 Nov). Outer spiral bands had entered south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• Forecast: continue north-northwest and cross between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, around 2200 UTC of 2 Nov (0330 IST on 3 Nov) as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with 100–110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h (Advisory No. 12).

After crossing (IMD cyclone bulletin archive summary, as shown on 3 Nov 2026):

• IMD summarised that Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole (near 15.53°N, 80.22°E), during 0330 to 0530 IST, with wind speed 100–110 km/h gusting to 120 km/h (IMD cyclone bulletin archive).

Where reports differ slightly: The Hindu’s live updates (3 Nov, morning) said landfall commenced at 1 a.m. near Ongole / Kothapatnam and cited an observed maximum sustained wind of 110–120 km/h at the landfall point — a little higher than IMD’s 100–110 gusting to 120 landfall figure (The Hindu live updates, 3 Nov 2026). Prefer the latest IMD bulletin for official numbers; treat newspaper observation figures as reporting, not a second official intensity scale.

Earlier, on 1 Nov, IMD had already upgraded the system to a Severe Cyclonic Storm and pointed to the same Nellore–Narsapur / Ongole corridor (Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 05, 2300 UTC 1 Nov 2026).

Why another cyclone so soon after Arnab?

Murasu is the second named cyclone to affect Andhra Pradesh within about a week of Cyclone Arnab (The Hindu, 2 Nov 2026).

The Economic Times (2 Nov 2026) explains the broad reason as season and sea conditions, not a special “double-storm rule”: October–December is the Bay of Bengal’s post-monsoon cyclone season, when the sea still holds heat after the monsoon and moist air plus favourable winds can support new storms. The same piece notes research in IMD’s Mausam journal that cyclone activity over the Bay is roughly three to four times that over the Arabian Sea (Economic Times, 2 Nov 2026). That is a seasonal explanation from reporting that cites IMD research — not a claim that every cyclone is followed by another.

Rain and neighbouring states (from reporting of IMD warnings)

Coverage of IMD warnings (Economic Times, 2 Nov) also listed heavy to very heavy rain for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on 2–3 Nov, with knock-on rain or wind alerts for north Tamil Nadu, Telangana and parts of south Odisha (Economic Times). Treat that as a snapshot of warnings before/during landfall; check the current district alert colour with IMD or your state disaster authority.

What to do (NDMA guidance)

Drawn from NDMA’s cyclone Do’s & Don’ts. Adapt to local official instructions if they differ.

Before / now

• Stay calm; ignore rumours; share only official updates (NDMA).
• Charge phones; prefer SMS if calls fail. Keep documents and valuables in waterproof bags (NDMA booklet).
• Store ready-to-eat food and drinking water, medicines, torch and spare batteries (NDMA; NDMA booklet).
• Tie down or bring in loose objects (tin sheets, sign-boards, pots) that can fly (NDMA).
• Know your nearest safe shelter / high ground and the route. If officials tell you to evacuate, go early — don’t wait (NDMA).
• Fishermen: do not venture out where IMD or the state has banned sailing; follow the latest sea warning.

During

• Stay indoors. Switch off electrical mains and gas (NDMA).
• Keep doors and windows shut (NDMA booklet).
• Beware the calm “eye”: if wind and rain suddenly drop, it is not over — strong winds can return from the other direction. Wait for the official all-clear (NDMA).
• Don’t cross flowing floodwater on roads.

After

• Don’t go out until officials say it’s safe; avoid loose or dangling wires and damaged buildings (NDMA).
• Drink boiled or chlorinated water; get appliances checked before reuse; report losses to the authorities (NDMA).

Related on Soshyal

• Cyclone Arnab 2026: name, landfall forecast and safety
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