Cyclone Murasu wreaks havoc in Andhra; to weaken by noon: IMD
Cyclone fells trees, electric poles, wrecks fishing boats, and damages standing crops as it barrels through coastal Andhra; Bapatla, Prakasam bear brunt of storm
The severe cyclonic storm Murasu has left a trail of destruction in coastal Andhra Pradesh, uprooting thousands of trees, damaging hundreds of electric poles, wrecking fishing boats, with people recounting their ordeal as the cyclone crossed the coast early on Tuesday (November 3).
Districts including Bapatla and Prakasam witnessed heavy rainfall and gusty winds, causing extensive damage to standing crops and many places came under sheets of water.
‘Most dangerous in 14 years’
"This is the most dangerous cyclone we have witnessed in the last 14 years. The government has been very helpful and evacuated around 400 families from our village. NDRF teams also helped us shift to safer places," Krishnamma, a fisherman from Kothapatnam in Prakasam district told PTI, adding that now he has to find out the condition of his boats.
#WATCH | Ongole, Andhra Pradesh: Heavy rainfall and strong gale winds trigger rough sea conditions, causing damage to thatched houses and uprooting trees in the region as cyclonic storm Murasu makes landfall near Kothapatnam. https://t.co/NehA1kxSEu
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2026
Another local resident, Mangamma, said she had lost her house during an earlier cyclone, but this time the government evacuated them before the landfall.
Also read: Back-to-back severe cyclones Arnab and Murasu: How common is it in Bay of Bengal?
"I had lost my house in an earlier cyclone, and my family was also shattered. This time, the government evacuated us before the cyclone made landfall. However, one of my three boats has been destroyed. Fishing is our livelihood," she said.
Massive destruction
Thousands of trees were uprooted, and hundreds of electric poles were damaged in the cyclone's impact, while many areas were left inundated.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | Tree uprooted due strong winds and heavy rain as an impact of cyclone Murasu near Suryalanka Road in Bapatla; NDRF personnel clearing the fallen tree https://t.co/81lKVE8q6f
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2026
Vehicles were stranded on national highways and motorists struggled to navigate due to poor visibility caused by heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The adverse weather conditions disrupted vehicular movement, leaving commuters stranded at several locations.
IMD forecasts more rain in Andhra
According to the Meteorological Department, the severe cyclonic storm 'Murasu' crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur, close to Ongole, between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday with wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.
Also read: Cyclone Arnab: AP reports massive crop loss, Centre promises support
It is likely to weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by noon and further into a deep depression by midnight of Tuesday.
In coastal Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday, light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places, and heavy to very heavy showers at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places.
(With inputs from agencies)