Cyclone Murasu brings deluge to arid Prakasam district

A screengrab taken from the video shows the devastation caused by Cyclone Murasu in Prakasam district. | Photo credit: The Hindu

As severe cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ started crossing the Bay of Bengal over the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kothapatnam, about 20 km from Ongola, at 1:00 am on Tuesday (November 3, 2026), it brought very heavy rainfall to the two districts of Prakasam and Bapatla overnight.

Overnight, the total rainfall deficit in Prakasam district, which was a little over 64% on November 2, reduced to 58.6%.

Cyclone Murasu LIVE update

Between 8:30 AM on Monday (2/11/2026) and 12:00 PM on Tuesday (3/11/2026) rainfall activity has subsided in districts likely to be affected by the cyclone. However, as the storm began to approach land, many weather stations in Central AP and South Coastal AP received very heavy rainfall of around 200 mm within six hours.

According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), which provides real-time weather information in all 688 mandals of the state, as of 6:00 am, Naguluppalapadu recorded the maximum rainfall of 198.01 mm, followed by Kothapatnam with 182.25 mm, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University area recorded 1215 mm, Bapatral4. mm, Bapatla town recorded 119.75 mm.

Narsapuram in West Godavari district, which was hit by a very severe cyclonic storm, recorded 109 mm of rainfall. Ongole Urban recorded 106 mm of rainfall and Chilakapadu of Prakasam district recorded 104.5 mm of rainfall. West Godavari and Krishna regions also received light showers during the night.

Meanwhile, the landfall process is likely to continue until 9:00 AM. The storm may move to the north-northwest and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by midday and further into a deep depression by midnight Tuesday. However, the AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned the public as the gale may continue till noon in Prakasam and SPSR Nellore districts.

According to reports, vehicles were stopped in the early hours of the morning on the highway near Ongole due to gales reaching speeds of 90-100 km/h. (There are two highways, I don’t know which yet).

A storm surge warning has also been issued as a wave of 1.0-1.5 meters above astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas along the coast in Bapatla and Krishna districts.

Tirupati, Nandyal and Palnadu districts are on red alert from Tuesday (November 3, 2026) and 11 other districts are on orange alert.

Published – November 3, 2026 07:47 IST