The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said the deep depression over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal had intensified into Cyclonic Storm ‘Murasu’. The storm is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of November 3, with wind speeds reaching 80-90 kmph and gusting up to 100 kmph.
The name ‘Murasu’ was proposed by India as part of the regional cyclone-naming system. Cyclones are not named randomly. Their names are selected through a structured international system coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). It also helps meteorologists, governments and emergency agencies track storms and avoid confusion, particularly when multiple weather systems are active at the same time. The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in New Delhi is responsible for naming the tropical cyclones that have formed over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea when they have reached the relevant intensity. They are: Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. India’s contributions include names such as Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, Ghurni, Ambud, Jaladhi and Vega. Cyclone names are used only once. However, the procedure for selecting names differs across regions. (Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: Origin of the name and the system behind naming tropical cyclones )
A panel of 13 member countries contributes to this system.
The Tamil word refers to a traditional percussion drum and an ancient musical instrument, according to a report by Mathrubhumi . Naming “tropical cyclones has proven to be the fastest way to communicate warnings and raise public awareness and preparedness, according to the WMO.
Historically, the drum played an important social role, as it was used to communicate public information and make announcements across villages and kingdoms.
Cyclone Arnab, which hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, 2026, was named by Bangladesh. Cyclone Montha, which made landfall near Kakinada and Narasapuram along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28-29, 2025, was named by Thailand. Cyclone Shakthi, a severe tropical storm that formed over the Arabian Sea in October 2025, was named by Sri Lanka.
During a virtual press conference, Mohapatra stated that below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures are likely across most parts of the country in November, as reported by HT previously . Pronounced ‘Ornab’, the name means ocean in Bengali. The name means a fragrant or beautiful flower in Thai.
Unlike the commonly used Indian term “Shakti”, meaning “power” or “strength”, the spelling with an ‘h’ reflects Sri Lanka’s transliteration preferences and the agreed-upon naming conventions. Earlier reporting noted: It is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast as a “Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph gusting 120kmph between Nellore and Narsapur” by the morning of November 3, Tuesday, the weather department added. Earlier reporting noted: Also Read | After Arnab, IMD tracks second weather system over Andaman Sea; depression likely by October 31 Earlier reporting noted: Earlier, director general of IMD Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that once the latest storm fully develops into a cyclone, it will be called “Murasu”, meaning ‘drum’ in Tamil.
There is a slight possibility it may turn into a severe cyclonic storm too, but at present, our forecast is for a cyclonic storm, which should hit the Andhra coastline on the morning of November 3,” Mohapatra said. The development comes days after Cyclone Arnab battered parts of Andhra Pradesh. “At present, we expect this to form into a cyclonic storm. Once formed, it will be named as Murasu. Follow Cyclone ‘Murasu’ live updates here . But what does ‘Murasu’ mean, and why has the storm been given this name?
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said there was also a slight possibility of the storm intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm, although the current forecast indicates a cyclonic storm.
