Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu was due to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole in the late hours of 2 November or the early hours of 3 November, with winds of 100 to 110 km/h and gusts up to 120 km/h. The storm is far from Bengal, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not issued any weather warning for West Bengal because of it. Still, anyone in Kolkata with travel plans, a fishing trip or a Kali Puja shopping list for next week will want to know what the city can expect over the next few days. Here is the picture from the latest IMD bulletin and press coverage.
What the IMD Bulletin Says for Kolkata
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata issued its latest special bulletin at 9 PM on 2 November. For the 24 hours until the morning of 3 November, it expects light rain or thundershowers at one or two places across all South Bengal districts. For the following 24 hours, until the morning of 4 November, the forecast is light to moderate rain or thundershowers at one or two places over Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly, along with parts of Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia.
After that, the outlook improves. Dry weather is most likely across South Bengal from 4 to 6 November. In plain terms, Kolkata should see a damp Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a clear run towards the end of the week.
Where Murasu Is Heading
According to IMD updates reported on 2 November, the storm was expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole. Coastal Andhra Pradesh faces heavy to very heavy rain, and a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres was forecast for Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna and Prakasam districts. Evacuations were under way in several districts, and flight cancellations were reported at Chennai and Vijayawada airports. After landfall, the system is expected to weaken into a deep depression by 4 November and move northwest towards Telangana.
Odisha is the nearest state to feel the effects. Southern districts such as Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to get heavy to very heavy rain on 3 and 4 November, with winds of 50 to 60 km/h gusting to 70 km/h along the coast.
Ports and Fishermen in Bengal
Even without a state-level warning, the Kolkata and Haldia ports have been told to hoist Distant Warning Signal No. 2, and Sagar Island port has Sectional Signal No. II. Fishermen from the West Bengal coast are not under a specific warning, but IMD advises them not to venture into the west-central and north-west Bay of Bengal, or off the south Odisha coast, until 4 November. Seas in those areas are expected to be rough to very rough.
This Has Been a Busy Season for Bengal
Murasu follows Cyclone Arnab, which sent leftover rain across the state late last month. We covered that in our Kolkata weather update on Arnab’s remnant. The pattern is similar this time: a storm that never comes near the city can still push moisture and cloud into South Bengal for a day or two. The difference is that Murasu is expected to be weaker over land and to head away from Bengal, so the effect on Kolkata should be milder.
Practical Tips for Kolkata Residents
- Keep an umbrella handy on 3 and 4 November, especially if you travel across Howrah, Hooghly or the 24 Parganas. Rain should be light to moderate and patchy, not heavy.
- Allow a little extra time for road commutes. Even light rain slows traffic in low-lying stretches. Our Kolkata local train guide is useful if you need a back-up route.
- Day trippers heading to Digha, Mandarmani or Sagar Island should check sea conditions before leaving, since rough seas are expected until 4 November.
- Flying to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu or Odisha this week? Check your airline’s app for cancellations and delays, as several flights in the cyclone zone have already been called off.
- If you are planning for Kali Puja, the dry spell from 4 to 6 November is good news. Details on road curbs are in our Kali Puja 2026 traffic guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Cyclone Murasu hit Kolkata?
No. The storm is crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast, hundreds of kilometres to the south-west. IMD has not issued a weather warning for West Bengal due to this system.
Will it rain in Kolkata on 3 and 4 November?
Yes, but lightly. IMD expects light to moderate rain or thundershowers at one or two places in and around Kolkata until the morning of 4 November.
When will the weather clear up?
Dry weather is most likely across South Bengal from 4 to 6 November, according to the latest bulletin.
Should fishermen from Bengal go to sea?
There is no specific warning for the West Bengal coast, but IMD advises fishermen not to go into the west-central and north-west Bay of Bengal until 4 November. Anyone heading out should check with local authorities first.
The Bottom Line
Murasu is a big story for Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, but for Kolkata it means little more than a cloudy, drizzly Tuesday and Wednesday before a dry stretch. Carry an umbrella, keep an eye on port and sea advisories if you travel to the coast, and check IMD’s Kolkata centre for any change. We will update our weather coverage if the forecast shifts.
Sources: IMD Regional Meteorological Centre Kolkata, Special Message Bulletin No. 6 (issued 2 November 2026, 9 PM IST); ETV Bharat live updates on Cyclone Murasu (2 November 2026); Down To Earth (2 November 2026). Forecasts are subject to change.
Featured image: Body of water under a cloudy sky, photo by Racim Amr on Unsplash.
