Deep depression crosses Andhra coast, heavy rain lashes Visakhapatnam
Synopsis
A deep depression crossed the Andhra coast between Kalingapatnam and Polaki late Wednesday night, battering north coastal Andhra Pradesh with 75 kmph gusts and triggering floods in 80-plus locations. With the system expected to persist as a severe depression for another 12 hours, authorities have deployed nine NDRF-SDRF teams and issued a 48-hour public vigil warning — making this the state's most significant weather event of the season so far.
Key Takeaways
A deep depression crossed the Andhra coast between Kalingapatnam and Polaki between 11 pm and 1 am IST on 24–25 September 2026 .
Maximum sustained winds of 55–65 kmph , gusting to 75 kmph , were recorded at landfall.
Rainfall exceeding 100 mm was recorded at 80 locations in the preceding 24 hours.
Five SDRF and four NDRF teams are deployed across Srikakulam , Alluri Sitarama Raju , Visakhapatnam , and Anakapalli districts.
CM Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with District Collectors, directing them to stay on high alert through Thursday and Friday .
Schools and colleges declared shut in seven districts ; public advised to remain vigilant for 48 hours .
A deep depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kalingapatnam and Polaki in the early hours of Thursday, 25 September 2026, unleashing heavy rains and gusty winds across north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The landfall, which commenced late on Wednesday night and continued for approximately two hours, prompted large-scale deployment of disaster response teams and a 48-hour public vigil advisory.
Landfall Details and Wind Speeds
According to officials of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the deep depression crossed the coast close to the southwest of Kalingapatnam between 11 pm and 1 am IST, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 55–65 kmph gusting up to 75 kmph. The system was moving at a sluggish 3 kmph over the preceding six hours and is expected to persist as a severe depression for another 12 hours, gradually weakening over the subsequent 24 hours, APSDMA said on Thursday morning.
Districts Hit and Rainfall Records
Heavy rains were lashing Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalli districts, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting road traffic. Rainfall exceeding 100 mm was recorded across 80 locations in the last 24 hours. Isolated heavy showers are also likely in Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Kakinada, and East and West Godavari districts through Thursday. Authorities declared a holiday for educational institutions in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, and Eluru districts.
Rescue Operations and Disaster Teams
Authorities have deployed five teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) across Srikakulam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalli districts for rescue and relief operations. Officials confirmed that measures have been taken to ensure the safe return of fishermen who had ventured into the sea. APSDMA's disaster management control room can be reached at toll-free numbers 112 and 1070; the state control room number is 18004250101.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Situation
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with District Collectors to review the unfolding situation. He directed collectors of rain-affected districts to remain vigilant until the rainfall subsides, stressing that precautionary measures must be taken to ensure there is no loss of life. Naidu asked officials to assess water inflows into reservoirs and rivers and issue timely field-level instructions, and specifically directed collectors to stay on high alert through Thursday and Friday. He also emphasised uninterrupted supply of water, food, medicines, and electricity to affected residents.
Public Advisory and What Comes Next
Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of APSDMA, called on residents to remain vigilant for 48 hours post-landfall, warning that low-lying areas face a continued risk of flash floods and that ground-level officials must remain on high alert. The system is expected to gradually weaken but forecasters caution that its slow movement increases cumulative rainfall totals — a pattern that can intensify localised flooding even as peak winds ease. Residents in affected districts are urged to monitor official updates before venturing out.
Point of View
Not the peak wind speed. A sluggish depression dumps far more cumulative rainfall than a faster-moving one, and with 80 locations already crossing 100 mm in 24 hours, the flood risk in river basins and low-lying coastal stretches remains acute well after winds ease. The test for the Naidu administration is not the crisis-phase response — NDRF and SDRF deployment looks adequate — but the speed of relief distribution and power restoration in the 48 hours that follow landfall, when media attention fades and logistical gaps tend to emerge.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the deep depression make landfall in Andhra Pradesh?
The deep depression crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kalingapatnam and Polaki in the early hours of 25 September 2026, close to the southwest of Kalingapatnam. The landfall process began late Wednesday night and lasted approximately two hours, according to APSDMA officials.
What wind speeds were recorded during the landfall?
Maximum sustained wind speeds of 55–65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, were recorded as the deep depression crossed the coast. The system was moving at just 3 kmph, increasing the risk of prolonged and heavy rainfall.
Which districts in Andhra Pradesh are most affected?
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalli districts bore the brunt of the heavy rains and flooding. Additional heavy showers are expected in Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Kakinada, and East and West Godavari districts through Thursday.
What precautionary measures have authorities taken?
Authorities deployed five SDRF and four NDRF teams across the worst-hit districts for rescue and relief operations. Schools and colleges have been shut in seven districts, and APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain has urged residents to remain vigilant for 48 hours post-landfall given the ongoing flash flood risk.
How long will the deep depression persist?
According to APSDMA, the system is expected to continue as a severe depression for another 12 hours before gradually weakening over the subsequent 24 hours. Its slow movement means cumulative rainfall totals could remain high even as peak winds diminish.
