Will Heavy Rain in Coastal Andhra and Low-Pressure in Bay of Bengal Intensify?

Key Takeaways
- Coastal Andhra Pradesh is facing heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.
- Authorities have declared holidays and set up control rooms in affected districts.
- Residents in low-lying areas are advised to take precautions.
- Fishermen are warned not to venture into the sea for the next five days.
- Red alerts have been issued for several districts due to anticipated extreme weather.
Visakhapatnam, Aug 18 (NationPress) - Torrential rains impacted various regions of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday due to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, severely affecting daily life and obstructing traffic flow.
Numerous low-lying areas and thoroughfares in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram districts experienced flooding as a result of the heavy rainfall that began on Sunday.
Officials have issued alerts and established control rooms in the district collectors' offices across the northern coastal districts.
As a safety measure, a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in these northern coastal regions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is projected to strengthen into a depression. It is expected to affect the south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts on Tuesday.
In a bulletin released on Monday morning, the IMD indicated that the low-pressure area over the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal, adjacent to the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, was clearly marked at 0530 hrs IST.
The system is likely to shift west-northwest and develop into a depression in the next 12 hours, crossing the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh shores by the morning of August 19.
Per the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), heavy to extremely heavy rain is anticipated in isolated areas across coastal Andhra Pradesh due to this low-pressure system.
Significant rainfall is expected in one or two locations over Visakhapatnam, Sri Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Yanam, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, NTR, and Guntur districts, leading to a red alert being issued.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also anticipated in one or two areas across Srikakulam, Parvathipuram, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Krishna, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts.
Heavy rain is also predicted for certain areas in SPSR-Nellore and Tirupati districts.
Prakhar Jain, the Managing Director of APSDMA, has urged residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions, especially those living in low-lying regions.
Fishermen are advised against venturing into sea areas for the next five days.
Local warning signals must be displayed at the ports of Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Nizamapatnam, and Krishnapatnam. The Cyclone Warning Centre will communicate relevant information to Kalingapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, and Vadarevu ports.
Potential impacts in the coastal area include reduced visibility, slippery roads, significant traffic disruptions, moderate waterlogging in low-lying areas and near riverbanks, risks of falling trees, and possible landslides/mudslides in elevated regions due to continuous rainfall.