Cyclone Murasu Makes Landfall Near Ongole
Why in News?
- Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu made landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast on 3 November 2026, Down To Earth reported.
- The India Meteorological Department said it crossed between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole in Prakasam district, between 3:30 and 5:30 am.
- By 8:51 pm News On AIR reported that it had weakened into a cyclonic storm, lay 40 km west-northwest of Bapatla and was very likely to become a deep depression.
- The Tribune reported that more than 30,000 hectares of standing crops were damaged across 15 districts, with no deaths reported by the State Disaster Management Authority.
- Murasu is the second severe cyclonic storm on this coast in a week, after Arnab on 28 October.
Key Terminologies
- Landfall
- The moment the centre of a cyclone crosses the coast. The strongest winds and surge are usually near this point.
- Storm Surge
- A rise in sea level pushed onshore by a cyclone's winds. Down To Earth reported surges in Bapatla, Prakasam and Krishna districts and inland sea ingression in Ongole mandal.
- Deep Depression
- A weaker stage in the India Meteorological Department's scale, below a cyclonic storm. Murasu was expected to become one by midnight on 3-4 November.
- Standing Crops
- Crops that are still growing in the field, such as paddy, cotton and maize. They are most exposed to water logging and wind.
- Salt Pans
- Shallow coastal basins where sea water is evaporated to make salt. The Tribune reported that salt pans around Ongole were flooded.
Key Issues
- Landfall Zone: The India Meteorological Department said Murasu crossed the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 3:30 and 5:30 am, Down To Earth reported. The Tribune put it at about 1 am, so exact timing differs across reports.
- Surge and Ingress: Bapatla, Prakasam and Krishna reported storm surges, and Ongole mandal residents reported sea water moving inland, Down To Earth said. The department had warned of surges of 1 to 1.5 metres and inundation up to 190 metres inland.
- Crop Damage: The Tribune reported more than 30,000 hectares of standing crops damaged across 15 districts, with Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyal worst hit and paddy, cotton and maize suffering the most. The official release cited gave 30,661 acres, so figures need confirmation.
- Back-to-Back Storms: Arnab made landfall on the same coastline on 28 October. In southern Odisha, Arnab's floods covered fields with silt and rotted crops in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, Down To Earth reported on 3 November.
- Weakening Over Land: After landfall the storm weakened to a cyclonic storm with winds of 80 to 90 km/h by noon and was expected to become a deep depression by midnight. In analysis, loss of warm sea water and friction with land drain its energy.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- No Deaths Reported: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said no deaths had been reported so far, The Tribune reported.
- Mass Evacuation: 10,805 people were moved to cyclone shelters across 132 mandals in 15 districts, and 171 relief camps and 14,810 food packets were arranged.
- Grievance Channel: The State launched a WhatsApp channel, Mana Mitra, for grievances.
- Central Support: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said National and State Disaster Response Force teams were on the ground helping the affected, The Tribune reported.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Farm Loss: Standing paddy, cotton and maize were damaged, which hurts farm incomes. In Odisha, many farmers had not insured their crops after Arnab, Down To Earth reported.
- Coastal Salt Industry: Salt pans around Ongole were flooded, which hurts salt workers.
- Power Disruption: The storm toppled electricity poles, and Tamil Nadu sent 500 electricity personnel to help restore power, according to headlines in The Tribune.
- Slow Recovery: In Odisha, several villages had no power nearly a week after Arnab, so recovery from the first storm was still under way.
Key Initiatives
- Andhra Pradesh Government: It moved 10,805 people to shelters across 132 mandals, set up 171 relief camps and 14,810 food packets, and launched the Mana Mitra WhatsApp channel.
- India Meteorological Department: It tracked the storm with Doppler radars at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam and issued warnings, as News On AIR reported.
- Union Home Ministry: Amit Shah said National and State Disaster Response Force teams were already on the ground.
- Odisha Government: An eight-member central team led by Ravi Shankar arrived in Bhubaneswar on 2 November to assess Arnab damage, and district agriculture officers were told to inspect fields, Down To Earth reported.
The India Meteorological Department expects the storm to weaken into a deep depression by midnight on 3-4 November. Andhra Pradesh says relief camps are running, and Odisha says compensation will follow once assessment reports are received. Crop damage figures are still being confirmed.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Publish district-wise damage numbers in hectares with one agreed unit, so acres and hectares are not confused.
- Pair crop insurance enrolment drives with cyclone season, so farmers on the east coast are covered before landfall.
- Treat repeated storms as one event for relief, with joint assessment of drainage and silt removal.
- Restore power with pre-agreed inter-State repair teams, as Tamil Nadu has done.
- Map surge-prone mandals such as Ongole and Bapatla and relocate salt and fishing communities in advance.
Murasu's handling shows the strength of preparation and the cost of repetition. Landfall near Ongole, mass evacuation of over 10,000 people and no reported deaths reflect an effective warning system. Yet two severe storms within a week, large crop losses and inconsistent damage figures show where the system is thin. In a Mains answer, credit early warning and shelter networks, then conclude that insurance, drainage and livelihood support must be built for storms that arrive in quick succession.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Cyclone Murasu make landfall?
Cyclone Murasu made landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole in Prakasam district, between 3:30 and 5:30 am on 3 November 2026, according to the India Meteorological Department as reported by Down To Earth.
How much damage did Cyclone Murasu cause?
The Tribune reported on 3 November 2026 that more than 30,000 hectares of standing crops were damaged across 15 districts of Andhra Pradesh, with paddy, cotton and maize worst hit, and no deaths reported. The official release it cited gave 30,661 acres, so the figures need confirmation.
What happens to a cyclone after landfall?
A cyclone weakens after landfall because it loses the warm sea water that feeds it and meets friction from land. The India Meteorological Department expected Murasu to weaken to a cyclonic storm with winds of 80 to 90 km/h by noon and become a deep depression by midnight on 3-4 November.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Cyclone Murasu made landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur on 3 November 2026.
It crossed close to Ongole in Prakasam district.
2 A tropical cyclone usually strengthens after crossing the coast because of friction with land.
It weakens as it loses warm sea water and meets friction.
3 Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026.
Murasu came a week later.