Coastal Andhra Pradesh is experiencing widespread rainfall, with moderate to heavy showers reported in several districts, as a low-pressure area intensifies over the Bay of Bengal. The meteorological department has issued an orange alert for the region, forecasting continued precipitation and strong winds over the next few days.
The low-pressure system, which formed over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, is currently situated along the South Odisha and North Andhra coasts. Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipate the system will move west-northwestwards and intensify further in the coming 24 hours. This development is bringing much-needed relief to Andhra Pradesh, which has been grappling with a significant rainfall deficit, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon.
Widespread rains have been observed across the coastal districts. The State Disaster Management Authority has cautioned residents about the potential impact, including winds gusting up to 50-60 kmph along the North Andhra coast and 40-50 kmph along the South Coastal Andhra coast. Authorities have advised the public to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from standing under trees or hoardings during the heavy downpour. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions.
Specific districts like Srikakulam are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri, Polavaram, and Visakhapatnam districts are forecast to experience moderate rain accompanied by lightning. Similarly, Anakapalli, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts are likely to see moderate rainfall with lightning. Lighter to moderate showers are predicted for East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, and Guntur districts.
The rainfall recorded on Friday, September 11, included 39.7 mm in MS Palli of Srikakulam district, 17.7 mm in Parawada of Anakapalli district, and 16.5 mm in Shankhavaram of Kakinada district. Other areas like Ramarajupalem in Alluri district and Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district also recorded significant rainfall.
The Andhra Pradesh government has been placed on alert, with Home and Disaster Management Minister V Anitha directing officials to implement necessary preventive measures and establish control rooms in affected areas. The government emphasized the need for timely warnings to the public and preparedness for the next three days, anticipating potential damage. The low-pressure area’s concentration over the South Odisha-North Andhra coastal region is a key factor in the current weather pattern.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for districts including Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, and West Godavari, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Friday. Saturday also sees a yellow alert for districts like Anakapalli, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, and Bapatla, with expectations of isolated heavy rainfall. However, no significant alerts are issued for Sunday.
This spell of rain offers a critical reprieve for the state, which has been experiencing a substantial rainfall deficit, with all 28 districts reporting deficiencies. The state has recorded significantly less rainfall than the seasonal normal, leading to concerns about kharif crops, reservoir levels, groundwater depletion, and drinking water availability. The prevailing hot and humid conditions over the past two months, attributed to a strengthening El Niño, have further compounded the water crisis in many parts of the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk