According to the IMD, the cyclone moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 14 kmph during the six hours preceding its latest bulletin. At 11:30 am on November 2, it was located approximately 120 km southeast of Nellore, 140 km southeast of Kavali, 170 km northeast of Chennai and 180 km southeast of Ongole.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across several states as the cyclone advances. Telangana is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 2 and 3, with extremely heavy rainfall possible in isolated areas on November 3.
Tamil Nadu is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on November 2. Heavy rainfall is also possible in isolated areas on November 3 and between November 5 and 7. Odisha may receive heavy rainfall in isolated areas between November 2 and 4, while similar conditions are forecast in Kerala between November 2 and 4 and again on November 7 and 8.
The cyclone is also expected to influence weather conditions in Karnataka, Madhya Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 80–90 kmph over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on November 2 and 3. Thunder squalls with wind speeds of 100–110 kmph are also possible during this period, with gusts reaching up to 115 kmph.
Rayalaseema is likely to experience thunder squalls with wind speeds of 70–80 kmph on November 2 and 3, with gusts reaching 90 kmph. In Telangana, strong winds of 50–60 kmph are expected on November 3, with gusts of up to 70 kmph.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may experience winds of 40–50 kmph between November 2 and 4, with gusts reaching 60 kmph.
According to the IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Maharashtra during the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on November 2. Assam, Odisha and Kerala also experienced heavy rainfall during the same period.
Rainfall measurements ranged from 12 to 21 centimetres in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Maharashtra, while Assam, Odisha and Kerala recorded 7 to 11 centimetres.
Cyclone Murasu comes after Cyclone Arnab had already caused extensive damage in several coastal areas.
The developing weather system has prompted administrative action in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was scheduled to visit Delhi on Monday but cancelled his trip to oversee preparations and monitor the threat posed by Cyclone Murasu.
Ten districts in Andhra Pradesh have been placed on high alert, according to reports. Schools and colleges have been closed in several areas. Neighbouring Odisha has also announced holidays in view of the expected rainfall.
Heavy rainfall has also affected flight operations at Chennai Airport, with several flights reportedly cancelled.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places across Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday and Tuesday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in some areas, while extremely heavy rainfall is possible at isolated locations. Heavy rainfall may continue in some places on Wednesday.
Telangana is expected to receive light to moderate rainfall at several places between November 2 and 4, with heavy rainfall in some areas. Extremely heavy rainfall is also possible at isolated locations on November 3.
The forecast for Tamil Nadu is broadly similar. Southern Odisha is likely to receive rainfall until Wednesday, while Chhattisgarh may also experience rain due to the cyclone.
The IMD has issued precautionary advisories for coastal areas and fishing communities. Fishing activities have been advised to remain completely suspended. People living in huts near the coastline should be moved to safer locations, while residents in affected areas have been advised to remain indoors.
People have also been advised to avoid staying in weak and unsafe buildings.
Officials from the Fisheries Department and fishing harbours have been asked to alert fishermen and monitor marine warnings issued by the weather department. Fishermen have been advised to plan their activities strictly according to the latest advisories issued for their respective areas up to November 3.
Shipping companies, port authorities and businesses operating at sea have also been asked to review their preparedness. They have been advised to monitor IMD forecasts until November 3 to remain informed about possible restrictions on weather-sensitive operations.
The IMD has warned that Cyclone Murasu could damage thatched and temporary houses. Weak structures and buildings with tin or asbestos roofs may also be vulnerable.
Standing crops, plantations and fruit orchards could suffer damage. Raw coconuts may fall, while the leaves of palm trees could be torn apart. Trees in coastal areas had also suffered extensive damage during Cyclone Arnab.
The department has warned that sea waves could reach heights of 4–6 metres. Flooding may damage sections of unpaved roads, while waterlogging in major cities could disrupt traffic and increase travel time.
Meanwhile, the name Murasu has drawn attention because of its connection with traditional Tamil culture.
Murasu is a Tamil word referring to a large drum traditionally used during wars and celebrations and to alert people about impending dangers.
Puviarasan, chairman of the Karnataka Meteorological Department, said he had suggested the name Murasu while working at the Chennai Meteorological Department.
According to BBC Tamil, a video released on the subject featured Puviarasan explaining the guidelines established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for naming cyclones.
Under these guidelines, cyclone names must not be associated with any religion or political ideology. They must not be the names of private individuals or cause offence to anyone. The names should be easy to pronounce, contain no more than eight letters and have some connection with the general public.
Puviarasan said Murasu was proposed after considering these requirements.
He explained that during the reign of ancient kings, the Murasu drum was used to communicate messages publicly. It was also used during emergencies to announce important information and alert people about potential dangers. The name was therefore chosen because it had a connection with ordinary people and could be easily recognised.
Apart from Murasu, Puviarasan had suggested several other names. These included Er and Kalappai, which are associated with agriculture, and Navai and Patagu, which are connected with the sea and fishing industry. He had also proposed the name Thirukkai, referring to a fish.
The India Meteorological Department eventually selected Murasu from among these suggestions.
The system for naming cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea was introduced in 2000 by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Under this arrangement, a group of countries, including Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, submitted a list of 13 names for cyclones developing in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
In 2018, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen were also added to the panel responsible for proposing cyclone names.
The names suggested by participating countries are arranged alphabetically according to the names of the countries. Bangladesh appears first in the sequence, followed by India, Iran, Maldives, Oman and Pakistan.
Cyclones are named according to this established order. Following Cyclone Nivar in 2020, the names scheduled to be used included Burevi (Maldives), Tauktae (Myanmar), Yaas (Oman) and Gulab (Pakistan).
With Cyclone Murasu approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, the combination of high-speed winds, heavy rainfall, rough seas and possible flooding has triggered precautionary measures across several states, with coastal communities and vulnerable infrastructure facing the immediate threat.
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