Deep Depression To Cross Coast Near Kalingapatnam Tonight; Heavy Rain Alert Continues
Moderate rain is likely in Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla and Palnadu districts, while Prakasam and Nellore districts may receive light to moderate showers.
Visakhapatnam:The deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the coast near Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district around 11 pm on Wednesday
Heavy rainfall, strong winds and flash-flood risks persist across North Andhra Pradesh.
The system is expected to make landfall near Karipeta beach in Santhabommali mandal, between Vajrapukotturu and Bhogapuram. Gusty winds of 60 to 70 kmph are likely during landfall.
According to the IMD, the deep depression moved west-northwestwards at 7 kmph during the preceding six hours. At 5.30 pm, it was centered about 30km south-southwest of Kalingapatnam, 90 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam and 160 km southwest of Gopalpur.
Managing director of the state disaster management authority Prakhar Jain said warnings were being issued regularly to field-level officials and the public through the RTGS-based disaster alert system. He advised people to remain cautious even after landfall, as heavy rain was expected to continue in several parts of the state for another 48 hours.
The authority warned of possible flash floods in low-lying areas, particularly in North Andhra districts, and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories.
As part of preparedness measures, five SDRF teams and four NDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts. Three teams are stationed in Srikakulam district, two in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, two in Visakhapatnam, and one each in Polavaram and Anakapalle for rescue and relief operations.
The authority forecast heavy to very heavy rain on Thursday in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle and Kakinada districts.
Moderate rain is likely in Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla and Palnadu districts, while Prakasam and Nellore districts may receive light to moderate showers.
Rainfall intensified across coastal Andhra on Wednesday. By 7 pm, Vajrapukotturu in Srikakulam district recorded the highest rainfall at 88.2 mm, followed by Lakshminarsupet at 73.7 mm, Putre in NTR district at 67.6 mm, Reddygudem at 64.1 mm, A Konduru at 62.8 mm and Edulagudem in Eluru district at 57 mm.