Cyclone Murasu approaches Andhra coast with 120 km/h gusts forecast

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is nearing the south Andhra Pradesh coast, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, from late Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday.

The IMD's latest available coastal bulletin forecast sustained winds of 100–110 km/h, with gusts reaching 120 km/h at landfall. The storm was moving west-northwest across the west-central Bay of Bengal.

Main hazards

The cyclone can bring damaging winds, very rough seas, heavy to extremely heavy rain and flooding in low-lying areas. Conditions may deteriorate well before the centre crosses the coast, and hazards can continue after landfall as the system moves inland.

Residents should avoid beaches, coastal roads, flooded streets and downed electrical lines. People in areas covered by evacuation or shelter instructions should follow district authorities rather than waiting for visible conditions to worsen. Fishermen should follow the IMD's sea warnings and remain ashore.

Forecasts can still change

Landfall position and intensity estimates are forecasts, not guarantees. Small shifts in the track can change which communities experience the strongest winds or heaviest rain. The official IMD bulletin and the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority dashboard should be checked for the newest district-level warnings.

Emergency numbers and shelter information can vary by district. Residents should keep phones charged, store drinking water and medicines safely, and avoid sharing unverified storm videos or casualty claims.

This article was published before the end of the forecast landfall window. News Polite will update it after the IMD confirms that the storm's centre has crossed the coast or issues a materially revised warning.