Nov 2026 : Cyclone Murasu, which has formed over the Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between midnight and 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre Director Durai said.
Addressing a press conference on the approaching storm, Durai said that although the main landfall zone remains southern Andhra Pradesh, northern coastal Tamil Nadu is likely to experience severe weather. Coastal districts, including Chennai and Tiruvallur, are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall as the cyclone moves towards the coast.
“Wind speeds near the core of the cyclone are expected to reach 100 to 120 km/h during landfall,” Durai said. He warned that Chennai and Tiruvallur could experience strong winds gusting up to 80 km/h.
Rainfall in Chennai is expected to continue until Tuesday morning, while inland districts such as Vellore and the Nilgiris are likely to receive heavy showers over the next 24 hours.
Despite the cyclone’s severe classification, officials said it was not expected to cause damage on the scale witnessed during the previous landfall of Cyclone Arnab. Nevertheless, precautionary measures have been initiated across vulnerable areas, and local administrations remain on alert to respond to emergencies.
Fishermen Advised to Stay Away from Sea
Fishermen operating along the northern Tamil Nadu coast have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea. Strong squally winds, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h, are expected to prevail over the northern coastal belt from Monday evening, creating hazardous marine conditions.
Authorities are monitoring the situation and have urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow official advisories and take necessary precautions.
Rainfall Expected to Ease After November 7
The Meteorological Department expects rainfall across Tamil Nadu to gradually reduce to moderate levels after November 7. However, intermittent showers are likely to continue into the second week of November.
Reviewing the performance of the ongoing Northeast Monsoon, Durai said Tamil Nadu had received healthy rainfall so far. The state has recorded 18 per cent excess precipitation compared with the seasonal normal, providing substantial rainfall reserves ahead of the impact of Cyclone Murasu.
With the storm approaching the region, authorities remain on high alert and are prepared to handle any weather-related emergencies.
