Is Heavy Rain Expected in Coastal Andhra as Depression Intensifies?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying.
- Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Officials are on high alert, with an orange alert issued for several districts.
- Residents are urged to prepare for possible flooding.
- Floodwaters in local rivers are beginning to recede.
Visakhapatnam, Oct 2 (NationPress) The depression over the westcentral Bay of Bengal has escalated into a deep depression and is expected to make landfall along the coast of Odisha and the neighboring regions of Andhra Pradesh between Gopalpur and Paradip on Thursday evening, as per forecasts from the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre.
This intense weather system is currently located approximately 300 km from Visakhapatnam, 300 km from Gopalpur (Odisha), and 400 km from Paradip (Odisha).
Isolated areas across Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are expected to experience strong winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 50 km/h.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds has already impacted Visakhapatnam, leading to the flooding of low-lying regions and disrupting electricity supply in various areas.
As a result of the deep depression, significant rainfall is anticipated in both the northern and southern coastal districts.
The Cyclone Warning Centre has indicated that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall could occur in one or two locations within Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and East Godavari districts of northern coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. An orange alert has been issued for these regions.
Furthermore, heavy rainfall is also predicted for one or two areas in the districts of West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has instructed officials to prepare for the predicted heavy rains in northern coastal Andhra over the next two days.
He has contacted the Collector and Superintendent of Police in Srikakulam to assess readiness, inquiring about potential flooding in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers and advising officials to be prepared for any emergencies.
In related news, the floodwaters in the Krishna and Godavari rivers have started to decline.
The Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority reports that the inflow at Prakasam Barrage on Thursday was 3.84 lakh cusecs, with authorities releasing 3.99 lakh cusecs downstream, and the first warning at Prakasam Barrage has been lifted.
The water levels in Godavari are also receding, with inflow and outflow at Dowleswaram recorded at 12,05,753 cusecs. The Disaster Management Authority has urged residents to remain vigilant until water levels return to normal.