A fresh cyclonic threat has emerged over the Bay of Bengal with Cyclone Murasu forming on Sunday, November 1, just days after Cyclone Arnab caused widespread damage along India’s eastern coastline.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Murasu after moving west-northwestwards at a speed of around 23 kmph.
In its latest bulletin issued at 11:30 am on Sunday, the IMD reported that the cyclone was centred over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. It was located approximately 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 660 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 630 km east-southeast of Nellore.
The weather department has forecast that Murasu will continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of November 2.
The cyclone is subsequently expected to change its direction towards the northwest before crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur.
The IMD has indicated that landfall could occur between 11:30 pm on November 2 and 4 am on November 3. At the time of landfall, wind speeds are likely to reach 100–110 kmph, with gusts potentially touching 120 kmph.
The approaching storm has raised fresh concerns for coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, which are still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Arnab.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Odalarevu in Andhra Pradesh on October 29, leaving significant damage across several coastal areas. Following the storm, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu estimated the preliminary damage to the state at approximately ₹4,600 crore.
With another powerful cyclone approaching within days, the IMD’s latest forecast has heightened concerns over the possibility of further damage along the eastern coastline.