Heavy Rain Pounds Eastern India Following Cyclone Murasu's Landfall
Eastern India faces heavy rainfall and potential flooding after Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole, with thousands evacuated and widespread damage reported.
Cyclone Murasu has made landfall near Ongole in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 100-110 kph (62-68 mph), according to reports from multiple sources 123. The cyclone has already caused significant disruption, with thousands of people being evacuated from their homes in preparation for the storm 23.
As Cyclone Murasu moves towards the north-northwest, it is expected to weaken to a cyclonic storm by noon and further to a deep depression by midnight, according to forecasts 1. This weakening trend does not alleviate concerns, however, as heavy rain is anticipated to persist in south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas 12.
The impact of Cyclone Murasu extends beyond just wind and rain. Damage to trees, electric poles, and crops has been reported in Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 electrical poles damaged, posing a significant threat to the power supply 13. In response, eight districts in Andhra Pradesh have closed schools and colleges, and train services have been halted ahead of the storm 12.
A flood warning has been issued for low-lying areas, and a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) is possible along the coast 2. As of Monday, approximately 2,000 people had been evacuated, with plans to reach a total of around 30,000 evacuations 3. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in advance to assist with rescue operations and manage the aftermath of the cyclone 3.
Rain is expected to continue in several states until Wednesday, indicating that the effects of Cyclone Murasu will be felt for days to come 3.
What we know
- - Cyclone Murasu made landfall near Ongole in Andhra Pradesh 123
- - Maximum sustained winds of Cyclone Murasu were 100-110 kph (62-68 mph) 23
- - Thousands of people were evacuated due to the cyclone 23
- - Cyclone Murasu is moving towards the north-northwest 1
- - Cyclone Murasu caused damage to trees, electric poles, and crops in Andhra Pradesh 1
- - Eight districts in Andhra Pradesh had closed schools and colleges due to Cyclone Murasu 1
- - Heavy rain is expected in south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours 1
- - Cyclone Murasu will weaken to a cyclonic storm by noon and further to a deep depression by midnight 1
- - Schools were closed and train services halted ahead of the storm 2
- - A flood warning was issued for low-lying areas 2
- - A storm surge of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) was possible on the coast 2
- - Approximately 2,000 people had been evacuated by Monday 3
- - Planned evacuation target is around 30,000 people 3
- - Cyclone Murasu is forecast to hit the coast between Nellore and Narsapur near Ongole between 11:30pm and 4am on Tuesday 3
- - Estimated damage to 6,000 to 8,000 electrical poles poses a significant threat to power supply 3
- - NDRF and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in advance 3
- - Rain is expected to continue in several states until Wednesday 3
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 70%, weighted across 20 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- confirmed Cyclone Murasu made landfall near Ongole in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. (94%)
- confirmed Maximum sustained winds of Cyclone Murasu were 100-110 kph (62-68 mph). (85%)
- confirmed Thousands of people were evacuated due to the cyclone. (85%)
- likely Cyclone Murasu is moving towards the north-northwest. (72%)
- likely Cyclone Murasu caused damage to trees, electric poles, and crops in Andhra Pradesh. (72%)
- likely Eight districts in Andhra Pradesh had closed schools and colleges due to Cyclone Murasu. (72%)
- likely Heavy rain is expected in south coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next 12 hours. (72%)
- likely Cyclone Murasu will weaken to a cyclonic storm by noon and further to a deep depression by midnight. (72%)
- likely Schools were closed and train services halted ahead of the storm. (71%)
- likely A flood warning was issued for low-lying areas. (71%)
- likely A storm surge of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) was possible on the coast. (71%)
- likely Approximately 2,000 people had been evacuated by Monday. (71%)
- likely Planned evacuation target is around 30,000 people. (71%)
- likely Cyclone Murasu is forecast to hit the coast between Nellore and Narsapur near Ongole between 11:30pm and 4am on Tuesday. (71%)
- likely Estimated damage to 6,000 to 8,000 electrical poles poses a significant threat to power supply. (71%)
- likely NDRF and State Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in advance. (71%)
- likely Rain is expected to continue in several states until Wednesday. (71%)
- unverified Cyclone Arnab struck the same coastline earlier, causing six deaths and extensive damage. (50%)
- unverified Around 200,000 acres of cropland were inundated by Cyclone Arnab. (50%)
- unverified At least five people died from Cyclone Arnab. (50%)
Sources
- Deutsche Welle — India news: Cyclone Murasu wreaks havoc after landfall
https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-cyclone-murasu-wreaks-havoc-after-landfall/live-79835410?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf - ABC News — Heavy rain falls in eastern India after second cyclone in a week
https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/heavy-rain-falls-eastern-india-after-cyclone-week-137792512 - Al Jazeera — Thousands evacuated as India braces for second cyclone in a week
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/2/thousands-evacuated-as-india-braces-for-second-cyclone-in-a-week?traffic_source=rss