Cyclone Murasu: Light to moderate rain for Kolkata, south Bengal till Wednesday
Synopsis
Cyclone Murasu is set to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast Tuesday with gusts up to 120 kmph — but its moisture trail will drench Kolkata and south Bengal districts through Wednesday. After the storm clears, a dry spell from November 5 could finally push Bengal's minimum temperatures down by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, signalling an early winter shift.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Murasu has intensified into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal as of 2 November 2026 .
Landfall is expected along the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Araku on Tuesday morning , with winds of 100–110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph .
Kolkata , East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and South 24 Parganas are likely to receive light to moderate rain until Wednesday .
No direct landfall is expected in West Bengal; rain is due to the cyclone's peripheral influence.
Dry weather is forecast across Bengal from 5 November , with minimum temperatures expected to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius .
Cyclone Murasu is set to bring light to moderate rainfall to parts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, over the next two days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata said on Monday, 2 November 2026. The storm has intensified into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall along the south Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday.
Cyclone Murasu: Current Track and Landfall Forecast
According to the meteorological office, Murasu is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline and is likely to cross the southern coast between Nellore and Araku on Tuesday morning. At the time of landfall, the system is expected to carry wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph. Its intensity is forecast to remain below that of the earlier very strong Cyclone Arnab. Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states are expected to bear the primary impact.
Impact on West Bengal and Kolkata
Although Murasu remains far from West Bengal and is not expected to make a direct hit on the state, its peripheral circulation is sufficient to trigger scattered light to moderate rain across southern districts. The districts of East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata are likely to receive rainfall until Wednesday, the RMC said. This is a common meteorological pattern — Bay of Bengal systems tracking the Andhra coast routinely channel moisture into Bengal's coastal belt even without a direct landfall.
Temperature Outlook for Bengal
The RMC said there would be no significant change in temperatures across the state over the next three days. In Kolkata and surrounding areas, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to remain between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius in the near term. On Sunday, the city recorded a maximum of 31 degrees Celsius — 0.01 degrees above normal — and a minimum of 24.09 degrees Celsius, 2.03 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 73 and 95 percent.
Post-Cyclone Weather: Dry Spell and Temperature Drop Ahead
Once Murasu moves away, dry weather is likely to prevail across both north and south Bengal for four to five days from 5 November onwards. Minimum temperatures are forecast to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during this period. In Kolkata, the minimum is subsequently expected to ease to around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius, while western districts may see mercury dip to 20 to 21 degrees Celsius — signalling the onset of a more pronounced winter-like chill for the region.
Point of View
But the Bengal weather narrative is the more consequential one for millions of Kolkata residents entering the festive and post-Diwali period. The RMC's framing — 'no direct impact but indirect rain' — is technically accurate yet risks underpreparing the public; coastal districts like East Midnapore are not immune to storm surge from Bay systems even when the eye tracks further south. More importantly, the forecast dry spell and temperature dip from November 5 could matter far more to public health and winter preparedness than the two-day rain event. Weather communication in India still tends to anchor on the dramatic cyclone label rather than the downstream temperature shift that affects far more people.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Cyclone Murasu directly hit West Bengal or Kolkata?
No, Cyclone Murasu is not expected to make a direct landfall in West Bengal. The system is tracking towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast, but its peripheral influence will bring scattered light to moderate rain to Kolkata and southern districts until Wednesday.
Where will Cyclone Murasu make landfall and when?
Murasu is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Araku on Tuesday morning. At landfall, wind speeds are forecast at 100 to 110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph.
Which districts in West Bengal will be affected by Cyclone Murasu?
East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall until Wednesday under the cyclone's indirect influence, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.
What will the weather in Kolkata be like after Cyclone Murasu passes?
After the cyclone moves away, dry weather is expected across north and south Bengal for four to five days from 5 November. Minimum temperatures in Kolkata are forecast to fall to around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius, with western districts dipping further to 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.
How does Cyclone Murasu compare to Cyclone Arnab?
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Cyclone Murasu's intensity at landfall is expected to remain below that of Cyclone Arnab, which was classified as a very strong cyclone. Murasu's peak gusts are forecast at 120 kmph, making it a moderate-intensity system.
