Why is India seeing back-to-back cyclones?

Andhra Pradesh is preparing for another round of severe weather, with Cyclone Murasu approaching its coastline just days after Cyclone Arnab battered parts of India's eastern coast. The back-to-back weather systems have put the state on alert, raising concerns over heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal flooding and damage to vulnerable areas. The latest storm has intensified over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, around midnight on November 2 or in the early hours of November 3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD has warned that Murasu could bring winds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, during landfall. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected across parts of Andhra Pradesh, with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Telangana likely to experience adverse weather.

After Cyclone Arnab, why has Cyclone Murasu formed so soon in the Bay of Bengal?The main reason is the timing. October to December is the post-monsoon cyclone season over the Bay of Bengal, when conditions are favourable for the formation and strengthening of tropical storms. The sea retains considerable heat after the monsoon, providing the energy cyclones need to develop. Moist air and favourable wind conditions can further help these systems intensify. The Bay of Bengal is also more cyclone-prone than the Arabian Sea. Research published in the IMD's Mausam journal notes that cyclone activity over the Bay is around three to four times higher than over the Arabian Sea.

Cyclone Murasu latest update: IMD tracks storm over Bay of BengalAccording to the IMD, Cyclone Murasu moved west-northwestwards at a speed of around 22 kmph during the six hours before 8.30 am on November 2.

At that time, the storm was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, near latitude 14.1°N and longitude 81.4°E. It was approximately 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km north-east of Chennai, 180 km east-southeast of Kavali, 210 km south-east of Ongole and 240 km south of Machilipatnam.

The weather system is likely to continue moving north-westwards before crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclonic storm. The IMD has advised people in vulnerable coastal areas to follow official instructions and stay updated on weather alerts.

Cyclone Murasu: Heavy rainfall warning for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and OdishaThe IMD has forecast widespread rainfall across several states as Cyclone Murasu approaches the coast. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy downpours possible at isolated locations on November 2 and 3.

The weather department has also issued the following rainfall warnings:Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on November 2 and 3. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely on November 4.

Rayalaseema: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on November 2 and 3. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected on November 4.

North Tamil Nadu: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 2, followed by isolated heavy rainfall on November 3.

Telangana: Rainfall is expected to intensify on November 3, with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Isolated heavy rainfall may continue on November 4.

South Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

South Chhattisgarh: Isolated heavy rainfall is likely between November 2 and 4.

Cyclone Murasu wind warning: Andhra Pradesh districts on alertThe IMD has warned of gale-force winds along the Andhra Pradesh coast as the storm approaches. Wind speeds are expected to increase to 100-110 kmph, with gusts of up to 120 kmph, by Monday night and continue until the early hours of November 3.

The warning covers several coastal districts, including Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, SPSR Nellore, Guntur, Eluru, NTR, Palnadu and West Godavari.

North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are also likely to experience strong winds. The IMD has forecast wind speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, across Thiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai districts until the early hours of November 3.

In south Odisha, squally weather is expected over Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Winds may reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph, between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon.

Parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema are also likely to experience strong winds, with squally conditions expected to develop from Monday afternoon.

IMD issues storm surge warning for south coastal Andhra PradeshThe weather department has warned that storm surges could inundate low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the cyclone's landfall.

According to the IMD, sea water could rise around 1.5-2 metres above the astronomical tide level. Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts are expected to experience the highest surge.

The surge is likely to exceed 0.5 metres from Monday evening and continue until Tuesday morning. It could reach a peak of 1-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide level between Monday night and the early hours of November 3.

Residents in low-lying coastal areas have been advised to remain alert and follow directions issued by local authorities.

Sea conditions to remain rough along Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha coastsThe IMD has forecast very high sea conditions over the west-central Bay of Bengal until Tuesday morning. Conditions are expected to gradually improve, becoming very rough to rough by Wednesday morning.

Along the Andhra Pradesh coast, high to very high sea conditions are likely to persist until Tuesday morning before easing gradually. The north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline is expected to experience rough to very rough seas until Wednesday morning.

Similar conditions are likely along the south Odisha coast and adjoining areas of the north-west Bay of Bengal from Monday evening to Tuesday morning.

IMD issues fishermen warning as Cyclone Murasu approachesThe IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into several parts of the Bay of Bengal and the adjoining coastal waters due to strong winds and rough sea conditions.

The restrictions cover the south-east Bay of Bengal on November 2, the south-west Bay of Bengal until the morning of November 4, and the west-central Bay of Bengal until the afternoon of November 4.

Fishermen have also been advised to stay away from the Andhra Pradesh coast until the afternoon of November 4, the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast until the morning of November 4, and the south Odisha coast and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal areas until the afternoon of November 4.

Why is the cyclone called Murasu?The name Murasu was contributed by India to the list of cyclone names used over the North Indian Ocean. The Tamil word refers to a traditional drum, a percussion instrument associated with the region's cultural heritage. Cyclone names are selected from lists submitted by countries in the region and are used to identify weather systems and make warnings easier to communicate.