Cyclone Murasu: First Tropical Cyclone with a Tamil Name

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu, the first tropical cyclone to receive a Tamil name since North Indian Ocean naming began in September 2004, made landfall near Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, on 3 November 2026. Its eye crossed the coast at 5.30 a.m. IST, within a landfall window of 3.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m.

Name and naming system

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, suggested the name. Murasu is a traditional Tamil percussion instrument—a large drum historically used to disseminate information, alert people to natural disasters and produce a thunderous sound. Names for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are coordinated through a panel of the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. India is a contributing member.

Landfall and impacts

Murasu was forecast to weaken into a cyclonic storm by noon and a deep depression by midnight, with wind speeds expected to fall to 75 kmph. Heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy falls, was forecast for Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, Palnadu, NTR, Eluru and West Godavari districts. Authorities moved about 30,000 people to safety. A storm surge of 1.0–1.5 metres above astronomical tide was expected to inundate low-lying areas, particularly in Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam. Several thatched houses collapsed in Ongole, prompting rescue operations.

Important Facts for Exams

• Murasu drum types: Traditional Murasu included Veera Murasu for military use, Thyaga Murasu for announcing gifts and inviting recipients, and Nyāya Murasu for judicial proceedings.
• North Indian Ocean threshold: The India Meteorological Department names North Indian Ocean cyclones once they reach cyclonic-storm strength, defined by sustained three-minute winds of at least 34 knots.
• Naming rationale: Cyclone names simplify communication of forecasts and warnings and help avoid confusion when multiple storms occur simultaneously in one basin.