Tropical Cyclone Murasu was nearing the coast of southeastern India on Sunday evening. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 81.5°E which put the center about 125 miles (200 km) east-southeast of Nellore, India. Murasu was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.
Tropical Cyclone Murasu strengthened on Sunday as it moved toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India. Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Murasu’ circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Murasu. Storms near the center of Murasu generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Sunday.
The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Murasu was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Murasu’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Murasu will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over southern India and the western part of the Bay of Bengal. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, Murasu could run into a mass of drier air when it gets closer to the coast of India. Tropical Cyclone Murasu could intensify during the next 12 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over South Asia and the Bay of Bengal. The high pressure system will steer Murasu toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Murasu will move reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh north of Nellore in about 12 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Murasu will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Murasu could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along parts of the coast of Andhra Pradesh.