Andhra Pradesh Awaits Rain As Deficit Stands at 47%
A low-pressure system may bring heavy rain as AP’s rainfall deficit nears 48%
Andhra Pradesh has been facing severe water scarcity, affecting households and irrigation and resulting in a shortfall of about two lakh hectares in kharif sowing compared to the previous year.
The rainfall deficit has also reduced water levels in major and medium reservoirs. The present storage in major reservoirs stands at 524 tmc ft against their full reservoir level of 1,014 tmc ft.
“If the forecast proves right, the system might bring down the rainfall deficit by at least 20 per cent. The current deficit as on date is 47 per cent,” said Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre director PLN Murthy.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the United States Global Forecasting System (GFS) have indicated the possible development of a system with a distorted eye-like circulation around September 23-24. However, these model projections do not establish whether the system will intensify into a named cyclone.
If it develops into a cyclone, it may be named Arnab, a name taken from Bangladesh. The actual intensity, rainfall distribution and landfall conditions will depend on the system’s subsequent movement and strengthening, with official IMD forecasts remaining the key reference for public safety and preparedness.
