New cyclonic storm expected to hit Andhra Pradesh coast by Nov. 2

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression within hours and become a cyclonic storm by November 1. The system, expected to be named Murasu, could reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on the evening of November 2.

"Well-Marked Low Pressure Area over Southeast Bay of Bengal Likely to Intensify into a Depression within 6 Hours and Further into a Cyclonic Storm within 24 Hours; Expected to Move West-Northwestwards and Reach West-central Bay of Bengal Near Andhra Pradesh Coast by the Evening of 2 November 2026," the IMD posted on X.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told PTI that wind speeds are likely to be between 80 km/h and 90 km/h, with gusts up to 100 km/h, and that the storm may make landfall on Tuesday morning.

Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam in Puducherry and parts of north Tamil Nadu are expected to experience isolated extremely heavy rainfall on November 2, with very heavy rain continuing on November 3. Rayalseema in Andhra Pradesh may also see intense rain on those days, while Odisha is under a heavy-rainfall alert for November 3-4.

Squally winds of up to 60 km/h are forecast for the Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from the evening of November 1, increasing to 65-75 km/h with gusts of 85 km/h on November 2 afternoon, and reaching 80-90 km/h with gusts of 100 km/h from the evening of November 2 to the forenoon of November 3. Winds are expected to subside to around 60 km/h by the morning of November 4.

The upcoming storm follows Cyclone Arnab, which struck Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on October 28 with wind speeds of 150 km/h, causing extensive damage to trees, homes, agriculture and infrastructure.