Why is there a red alert in 5 districts of Andhra Pradesh due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Red alert issued for five Andhra Pradesh districts.
- Low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal expected to intensify.
- Extremely heavy rainfall predicted in multiple districts.
- Residents in low-lying areas should take precautions.
- Fishermen advised to avoid sea activities.
Visakhapatnam, Aug 17 (NationPress) The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre has raised a red alert for five districts in Andhra Pradesh as extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated on Monday due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
A low-pressure area has emerged over the west-central and adjacent northwest sector of the Bay of Bengal, near the coastlines of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. It is expected to drift west-northwest and may intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours, as per the cyclone warning centre's update. The system is forecasted to make landfall along the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday morning.
The districts under alert include Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, and West Godavari.
The cyclone warning centre indicates that extremely heavy rainfall may occur in one or two locations across Visakhapatnam, Sri Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, NTR, and Guntur districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
Further, heavy to very heavy rainfall is also predicted at various locations in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Krishna, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
Moreover, heavy rainfall is projected for specific areas in SPSR-Nellore and Tirupathi districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are expected to experience squally conditions with wind speeds reaching 45-55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.
The Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), Prakhar Jain, has urged the public to stay vigilant. He emphasized that residents in low-lying areas should implement necessary safety measures.
Fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea for the next five days.
Local cautionary signal number–III (LC–III) is to be displayed at ports including Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Nizamapatnam, and Krishnapatnam. The cyclone warning centre has disseminated information to the ports at Kalingapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, and Vadarevu.
Warnings have been issued regarding reduced visibility, slippery road conditions, significant traffic disruptions, moderate waterlogging in low-lying areas and near riverbanks, potential tree falls, and rock loosening due to persistent rainfall, which may lead to minor landslides or mudslides in elevated hilly terrains.