Andhra Pradesh is still clearing up after Cyclone Arnab, and the Bay of Bengal has already produced another storm. Arnab made landfall near Odalarevu on October 29. Now there’s Murasu.
A deep depression over the Bay turned into a cyclone on Sunday, November 1, and India gave it the name Murasu, which means “war drum.” It’s an oddly fitting name for a storm that has arrived while the last one’s damage is still fresh.
Where it’s headed
The IMD’s current thinking is that Murasu will strengthen over the west-central Bay on November 2. It is expected to approach the south Andhra coast that evening and cross somewhere between Nellore and Narsapur on the morning of November 3. Some forecasts say it could grow into a very severe cyclonic storm before it gets there.
The wind numbers depend on which report you read. One puts sustained speeds at 100 to 110 kmph, another says up to 120 kmph. The earlier IMD estimate was a lot lower, at 80 to 90 kmph with gusts around 100. The estimate keeps creeping up as the system organises itself, which is worth remembering the next time a forecast looks mild.
What authorities are doing
The response is already well under way. The IMD has put five Andhra districts under a red alert for extremely heavy rain and strong winds on November 2 and 3, and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has cancelled a planned trip to Delhi. Southern Odisha is on high alert too, and north Tamil Nadu is under a cyclone alert. Even Hyderabad can expect moderate rain.
Earlier guidance suggested Murasu would be weaker than Arnab. Weaker is relative, though. A storm doesn’t have to be a record-breaker to flood a street, knock out power or bring down a tree, especially when the ground is already soaked and repair crews are still stretched.
If you live on the coast
You’ve probably heard most of this before, but it’s worth repeating because it works.
Keep fishing boats and people away from the sea. Charge your phones and power banks tonight, not tomorrow. Stock a couple of days of drinking water, dry food and any regular medicines. Bring in or tie down anything loose on terraces and balconies, and stay clear of hoardings, old trees and electric poles. Put your documents in a waterproof bag. If officials ask you to move to a shelter, go early. Roads get difficult fast once the rain sets in.
Stick to IMD bulletins and your state disaster management authority for updates. Forwarded messages during cyclones are often outdated or plain wrong.
The part that worries me
Two cyclones on the same coast in one week is unusual. The first storm has already used up a lot of people’s patience, savings and local resources, and the second arrives before most places have recovered. That’s why early evacuation and calm, practical preparation matter more than the exact wind speed on landfall day.