Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu has officially begun its landfall process near Ongole in Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The India Meteorological Department confirmed that the storm hit the coast with powerful wind speeds reaching between 110 kmph and 120 kmph. Emergency response teams and state authorities are on high alert as heavy rain and strong winds hit coastal districts across the region. Local administrations have urged residents to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines closely to prevent loss of life and property damage.

What Happened?

According to official updates from the India Meteorological Department, the landfall process for Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu started around 1:00 a.m. on November 3. By 3:00 a.m., the inner spiral bands and the wall cloud region of the storm began moving deeper into the mainland near Ongole. The storm originally developed as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday, November 1, before rapidly intensifying into a severe cyclone. Named Murasu, which translates to war drum, this storm came just days after another major storm, Cyclone Arnab, swept through the region.

The landfall has caused severe disruptions to public life and transport infrastructure across coastal southeastern India. Flight operations suffered major delays and cancellations on Monday ahead of the storm. At least eleven flights arriving and departing from Chennai airport were cancelled, while ten IndiGo flights from Gannavaram Airport in Vijayawada were grounded. Neighboring states also took defensive steps to minimize the impact. The Odisha state government expedited massive evacuation drives on November 2, moving thousands of people living in vulnerable low-lying areas to safer shelter locations.

To help citizens deal with disruptions, the Andhra Pradesh government and its Real Time Governance Society launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline through the Mana Mitra governance platform. Residents in storm-hit regions can report emergencies like power cuts, uprooted trees, collapsed walls, and waterlogging by texting Hi to the official number 9552300009. The state government has also reached out to neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to request assistance for rapid power restoration once the storm subsides.

Key Highlights

Cyclone Murasu made landfall near Ongole in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The storm packed maximum sustained wind speeds ranging from 110 kmph to 120 kmph.
Flight services were severely disrupted, with multiple cancellations in Chennai and Vijayawada.
The Odisha government evacuated thousands of citizens from vulnerable coastal regions to temporary shelters.
Andhra Pradesh launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline number 9552300009 for residents to report emergencies.
State authorities have requested help from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for restoring electricity lines after the cyclone.
Cyclone Murasu formed shortly after Cyclone Arnab, marking another severe weather event in the Bay of Bengal.

Why Does This Matter?

Severe cyclones like Murasu pose direct threats to human lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Strong winds and torrential rains often cause widespread electricity failures, destroy crops, damage homes, and break communication networks. For local communities living in coastal towns and villages, quick government response and reliable relief channels are essential to survive the aftermath of such natural disasters. Travel cancellations also affect thousands of passengers trying to reach their families or workplaces safely.

The introduction of modern governance tools like the WhatsApp emergency helpline shows how technology can empower citizens during crises. By offering an easy way to report uprooted trees and fallen power lines, emergency workers can clear roads and restore electricity much faster. Regional cooperation between states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka further highlights the importance of working together to protect lives and rebuild communities after major storms.