More than 20 flights were cancelled at airports in southern India on Monday 2 November as Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu moved towards the coast, bringing heavy rain and squally winds to parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
At least 11 flights at Chennai Airport and a further 10 at Vijayawada International Airport were cancelled as the storm intensified over the Bay of Bengal. Officials advised passengers to check the status of their flights with the relevant airline before travelling to either airport.
Landfall forecast between Nellore and Narsapur
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Murasu was moving west-northwestwards over the West Central and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal. It was positioned approximately 120 kilometres east-southeast of Nellore and 160 kilometres northeast of Chennai as the system approached the coast.
The storm was forecast to turn northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur around midnight, with landfall expected in the early hours of Tuesday. The IMD forecast sustained winds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.
| Airport | Reported cancellations | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Airport | At least 11 flights | Heavy rain and squally winds associated with Cyclone Murasu |
| Vijayawada International Airport | 10 flights | Heavy rain and squally winds associated with Cyclone Murasu |
Evacuations and wider travel disruption
Local authorities along the eastern coast began evacuating residents from vulnerable areas as the storm neared landfall. Prakhar Jain, a senior official with the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, said that nearly 2,000 people had already been moved to safer relief shelters.
Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur were closed on Monday, while authorities in other areas took measures in response to the deteriorating weather. The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts across 11 districts in Telangana, and Odisha authorities accelerated evacuation work as the region continued to recover from the recent impact of Cyclone Arnab.
- Passengers travelling through Chennai or Vijayawada were advised to confirm flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
- More than 20 cancellations were reported across the two airports on Monday.
- Fishermen were advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal until Wednesday.
The storm also affected other forms of transport and daily activity in the region, with rail services disrupted and educational institutions closed in affected areas. The aviation cancellations were announced as administrations prepared for the expected coastal crossing and the associated high winds.
