Severe cyclonic storm Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between late November 2 and early November 3, bringing winds of 100-110 kmph and gusts of up to 120 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are likely to face heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds as the system approaches land.
The IMD said Murasu had intensified over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal and was moving northwestwards at about 20 kmph. At 2.30am on Monday, the storm was located around 260 km east-northeast of Chennai and 290 km east-southeast of Nellore. The forecast window for landfall was between 11.30pm on November 2 and 4am on November 3.
The storm’s strongest expected impacts are in Andhra Pradesh, where high winds and intense rainfall can disrupt roads, electricity networks, telecommunications and coastal movement. The IMD forecast rainfall across Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema over the next few days, with thunderstorms and gusty winds in Rayalaseema. Winds there are expected to reach 30-40 kmph, with gusts of up to 50 kmph.
The weather system is also expected to affect several other states. Odisha is likely to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3, while very heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated locations on November 2. Rayagada district has been placed under an orange warning for November 3 and 4. Telangana may experience a thundersquall, with winds of 50-60 kmph and gusts reaching 70 kmph.
Tamil Nadu is expected to receive rainfall in parts of the state, with heavy showers likely at isolated places on November 3 and rainfall continuing on November 4. Puducherry and Karaikal are also likely to receive rain. Kerala and Mahe may see isolated rainfall, including heavy showers in parts of the state on November 3, while coastal Karnataka and parts of South Interior Karnataka are also expected to receive rain.
The IMD has linked rainfall activity across parts of central and western India to a trough extending from the east-central Arabian Sea along the Maharashtra coast towards a cyclonic circulation over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining east Madhya Pradesh. The trough passes across Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha, bringing rain and thunderstorms to parts of these regions.
In northern and central India, East Uttar Pradesh is likely to see isolated to scattered rainfall until November 4, while parts of Bihar may receive showers during the same period. Assam and Meghalaya are likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning and isolated heavy rainfall on November 3. Himachal Pradesh may receive light to moderate rain, with light snowfall possible in higher-altitude areas including Kinnaur, Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti.
Delhi is expected to remain partly cloudy over the next few days, with no rainfall warning issued for the national capital. Punjab and Haryana are also likely to remain largely dry. The IMD’s immediate forecast period remains focused on the cyclone’s expected landfall and the associated rainfall and wind impacts across southern and eastern India.
