Andhra Pradesh Heavy Rain Alert as Winds May Reach 70 kmph
The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday issued an alert for North Andhra districts after a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal was forecast to bring moderate to heavy rain, lightning and strong coastal winds over the next two days. Officials were instructed to establish control rooms and take measures to prevent damage.
Home and Disaster Management Minister V Anitha directed district authorities to issue timely warnings and remain prepared for the weather system. “The government is on alert in view of the low-pressure area and officials have been directed to take all necessary measures to prevent any damage. People should remain alert for the next three days,” she said in an official release.
The low-pressure area was located over the South Odisha-North Andhra coastal region and the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, according to statements cited by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority. North Andhra districts were forecast to receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Friday and September 12, while South Coastal Andhra was expected to receive moderate rain.
APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said winds of about 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, were likely along the North Coastal Andhra coast. The weather department’s forecast cited in the report also warned that gusts could reach 70 kmph along the coast. The sea was expected to remain rough with high waves, and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea.
Moderate rain accompanied by lightning was forecast in parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts on Friday. Light to moderate rain with lightning was expected at isolated places in Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari and Krishna districts. Scattered light rain was forecast in the remaining districts.
For Saturday, moderate rain with lightning was expected in parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Polavaram districts. Isolated areas of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari and West Godavari were forecast to receive light to moderate rain with lightning.
Rainfall had already been recorded in parts of the state. As of 5 pm on Thursday, Darlapudi in Anakapalli district recorded 37 mm of rain. Nanginarapadu and Udera recorded 34.5 mm each, while Paravada recorded 34.2 mm and Gandhavaram recorded 33.5 mm.
The state government’s instructions cover preparedness, public warnings and district-level coordination. Residents in the affected areas were advised to remain alert during the forecast period, while the warning to fishermen remains in place because of the expected rough sea and high waves.
