Heavy rainfall lashes Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Giving a respite to the Vizagites from the scorching temperatures, a thunderstorm lashed the city on Saturday morning under the influence of the cumulonimbus clouds. At around 6.30 am, the rain with claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, hit the city and continued for about 45 minutes before it occurred in spells again. Until the afternoon, the city wore a cloudy look and registered balmy temperatures throughout the day.

The weathermen at the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam informed the rains were produced by the cumulonimbus clouds, which are usually formed by thunder activity and produce heavy rain and sometimes hail and gusty winds. They added the thunderstorms may continue for another few days in spells. Water stagnation was evident in some low-lying areas such as Poorna Market, Gnanapuram, Allipuram, Gajuwaka, Maddilapalem, NAD Junction and Appu Ghar before the rain water found its way into the drains.

There were also reports of scattered rains in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts and Vizag Agency area, including in Araku, Paderu and G. Madugula mandals.

The temperatures saw a steep drop of 5-6 notches in Vizag city due to the sudden rain. The maximum temperature of the city was recorded at 34.40C while the minimum was 25.40C. The rains were particularly welcome as the city was facing water scarcity with declining water levels in various reservoirs.