Cyclone Murasu forecast to cross Andhra coast: driver travel checks

Severe Cyclone Murasu is forecast to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between late 2 November and early 3 November 2026, according to the India Meteorological Department’s 2 November coastal bulletin. The bulletin puts expected winds at 100–110 kmph with gusts to 120 kmph, making current alerts and local road conditions important for drivers in coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu.

Key takeaways

At 05:30 IST on 2 November 2026, IMD placed the severe cyclonic storm about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai and 210 km east-southeast of Nellore.
The expected crossing window is 23:30 IST on 2 November to 04:00 IST on 3 November, between Nellore and Narsapur near Ongole; the track remains a forecast.
IMD’s 2 November Tamil Nadu warning lists very heavy rain for 2 November and heavy rain for 3 November, along with thunderstorm, lightning and squall risk.
Hindustan Times reported that Chennai and Tiruvallur closed schools and colleges on 2 November, while IndiGo issued a weather advisory for Visakhapatnam.

What is confirmed and what is forecast

The confirmed position and intensity are those in IMD’s bulletin issued at 05:30 IST on 2 November 2026: Murasu was a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal. IMD located it about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai, 210 km east-southeast of Nellore, 270 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 260 km southeast of Ongole at that observation time.

The landfall details are still expected rather than completed. IMD’s forecast says the system is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, from 23:30 IST on 2 November to 04:00 IST on 3 November 2026. That means the centre, wind strength and rainfall distribution can change in later bulletins. It is not a blanket notice that every highway or city road is closed.

Why this matters to drivers

For a motorist, the practical risk is the combination of rain, spray, reduced visibility, squalls and water on low-lying sections. Gusty winds can also make exposed two-wheelers, buses and high-sided vehicles harder to control. These are weather-related risks, not a claim that a particular route has already been shut, so the latest district administration or traffic-police order matters more than an earlier route screenshot.

IMD’s Tamil Nadu sub-division warning issued on 2 November lists very heavy rain on 2 November, heavy rain on 3 November and thunderstorm, lightning or squall conditions through 5 November for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Times of India also reported that the storm’s outer rain bands could affect Chennai and neighbouring districts, with squally winds along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.

Travel corridors to watch

Coastal Andhra routes near Nellore, Kavali, Ongole, Bapatla and Narsapur deserve closer attention because they sit in or around the forecast crossing corridor. The IMD bulletin does not say that all roads in these places will close; it identifies the expected storm path and wind conditions. Local orders, waterlogging and fallen-tree or power-line clearance can determine whether a particular road remains usable.

North Tamil Nadu is also relevant for trips involving Chennai, Tiruvallur and nearby districts. Hindustan Times reported school and college closures in Chennai and Tiruvallur for 2 November, and its live coverage said heavy to very heavy rain was forecast in parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. For a long-distance trip, the late-night 2 November to early 3 November landfall window is the period to re-check immediately before departure.

Driver checklist before leaving

Check the latest IMD bulletin and the district administration or traffic-police update just before departure. A morning forecast can be superseded as the storm moves closer.
Inspect tyres, wipers, lights and brakes, keep the phone charged and avoid entering waterlogged underpasses or stretches where the depth is not visible. If water is moving across the road, do not attempt to cross it.
If authorities permit a detour, use the road-trip planner to compare the alternate distance and timing. Treat an estimated route as a planning aid, not confirmation that every link road is open.
A longer diversion can raise fuel use even when pump prices are unchanged. The fuel-cost calculator can help estimate the extra fuel for the actual vehicle and route.
Before refuelling, check the dated rate on the live fuel-prices page and confirm that the station is accessible. Do not assume a general city rate reflects every location on a disrupted route.

What to watch next

The next meaningful update is IMD’s revised position, wind forecast and rainfall warning after the system moves closer to the Andhra coast. Drivers should also watch for district-level road restrictions, bridge or underpass closures, public-transport changes and airline advisories. Hindustan Times reported an IndiGo advisory for Visakhapatnam on 2 November, which is a reminder that travel disruption can extend beyond roads.

The reader takeaway is simple: Cyclone Murasu’s severe-storm status is confirmed, but its exact landfall effects on any individual route are not. If travel is necessary in coastal Andhra Pradesh or north Tamil Nadu, use the latest official warning, check the local road status and budget extra time for rain, diversions and slower speeds.

Image: Illustrative editorial visual generated for FuelPrice; it is not a photograph or official satellite image of Cyclone Murasu.