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Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Due to the cyclone, schools have been closed in at least eight districts of Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure
- Locals are protesting the felling of thousands of trees on the west coast in Maharashtra’s Karjat city
- Indian navy rescued Iranian crew from pirates
Here is a roundup of the biggest headlines from across India on Tuesday, November 3.
Skip next section Indian Navy rescues crew members from hijacked Iranian ship11/03/2026November 3, 2026
Indian Navy rescues crew members from hijacked Iranian ship
The Indian Navy coordinated a 48-hour operation and rescued 20 crew members from the Iranian fishing vessel Azini after it was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia.
In response, the Indian Navy tasked a mission-deployed warship to intervene, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The vessel was seized by Somali pirates on October 29.
According to officials, the operation was carried out 3,000 km from Mumbai in the Arabian Sea.
“Executing a swift and well-coordinated tactical intervention, the Indian Navy secured the vessel, overcame the pirate threat and ensured the safe release of all 20 crew members,” the Navy said.
Iran thanked the Indian government for rescuing the crew.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for their successful operation to rescue the 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates,” the Iranian mission said in a post on social media.
Edited by:Elizabeth Schumacherhttps://p.dw.com/p/5OzBmSkip next section Indian tourist dies as two helicopters collide mid-air in Nepal11/03/2026November 3, 2026
Indian tourist dies as two helicopters collide mid-air in Nepal
An Indian tourist was killed and three others were injured after two helicopters crashed into each other while landing in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning.
According to the Hindustan Times, which cited local officials, the Indian tourist was from Tamil Nadu’s Chennai and identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu (47).
Nepalese pilots Rabindra Prajapati of Fishtail Air and Prajwal KC of Dynasty Air were also injured in the incident and have been taken to Kathmandu for further treatment.
The helicopters were ferrying trekkers who had been hiking up to the Mount Everest base camp during Nepal’s popular trekking season.
Reportedly, the incident took place at Pheriche village, which is at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) altitude.
Edited by:Elizabeth Schumacherhttps://p.dw.com/p/5OyxcSkip next section Karjat residents protest tree felling for proposed power plant project11/03/2026November 3, 2026
Karjat residents protest tree felling for proposed power plant project
Residents in the Maharashtrian city of Karjat, which lies on the west coast, are pushing back against the large-scale tree felling for a proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage power plant in the region.
More than 32,000 trees are expected to be cleared for construction. According to a report by the Indian Express, nearly 1,100 trees were cut down before the operation was halted last week amid protests.
On Monday, a demonstration by residents, political groups, and environmental activists prompted an almost total shutdown of activity in Karjat.
The hydropower project is being built by Torrent Power is expected to be operational by 2029.
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The project needs 377 hectares of land along the Sahyadri range in Raigad district and is expected to cut Maharashtra’s dependence on coal-fired power.
However, environmental experts have warned against the clearing of the forest on the west coast, warning it will disrupt the moisture cycles that bring rain to regions far away.
Edited by:Elizabeth Schumacherhttps://p.dw.com/p/5OytFSkip next section Heavy rains batter coastal Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Murasu makes landfall11/03/2026November 3, 2026
Heavy rains batter coastal Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Murasu makes landfall
Severe cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’ began its landfall close to Ongole in the Prakasam district of the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh during the early hours on Tuesday.
The cyclone, which, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), is currently moving towards the north-northwest, has left a trail of destruction in the region.
Packing strong winds with heavy rains, the cyclone reportedly has uprooted thousands of trees and damaged electric poles and crops in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.
Schools and colleges have been closed in at least eight districts in Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure in view of the heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Heavy spells of rainfall were also likely across south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 12 hours, IMD said.
The cyclone is currently over the west central Bay of Bengal close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by noon and further into a deep depression by Tuesday midnight.
Edited by:Elizabeth Schumacherhttps://p.dw.com/p/5OypwSkip next section Welcome to our coverage11/03/2026November 3, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Hello! This is Midhat from DW’s New Delhi Bureau, bringing you the biggest headlines from India.
After Cyclone Arnab, Cyclone Murasu has brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the southern state of Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, disrupting life in the region.
Meanwhile, residents are protesting the planned felling of thousands of trees in the city of Karjat in the Maharashtra state on the west coast. A total of 32,000 trees are planned to be cleared for a pumped storage power plant.
At sea, the Indian Navy managed to rescue 20 Iranian crew members from Somali pirates in a coordinated 48-hour operation.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from India.
Edited by:Elizabeth Schumacherhttps://p.dw.com/p/5OypvShow more posts
