12 hrs ago
Severe Depression Nears Andhra Coast, Threatening Heavy Rainfall
A powerful storm system is moving across the Bay of Bengal toward the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Weather officials said it could bring very heavy rain to Coastal Andhra.
The system was expected to cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur.
Different reports gave slightly different times, from Wednesday evening to early Thursday.
Strong winds and lightning were also possible.
Heavy rain could cause flooding, especially in low-lying areas and near rivers and streams.
Government teams were told to prepare rescues and move people to safer places if needed.
Fishermen were told not to enter the sea and to secure their boats and nets.
A severe or deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is moving westward toward Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The system was forecast to cross between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, with timing estimates ranging from Wednesday evening to early Thursday.
Coastal Andhra was expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in some areas.
Authorities warned of strong winds, lightning, flooding and dangerous conditions near trees, hoardings, waterways and unsafe structures.
The government placed rescue teams, machinery, field staff and control rooms on alert and advised fishermen to stay out of the sea.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, the India Meteorological Department, disaster-management officials, rescue teams, fishermen and residents of vulnerable districts.
- What
- A severe or deep depression is approaching the coast and is expected to produce heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and possible flooding.
- Where
- The system was over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, approaching the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur.
- When
- The system was forecast to reach the coast from Wednesday evening through early Thursday; heavy rain was expected over the following two to three days and in some areas from September 22 to 25.
- Why
- Authorities are preparing because the system may cause very heavy rain, flash floods, overflowing waterways and damage in vulnerable areas.
Key facts
- Storm classification
- The system was described across the reports as a severe depression, deep depression or depression expected to intensify into a deep depression.
- Expected crossing
- Between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, with reports giving timings from Wednesday evening to Wednesday night or early Thursday.
- Reported movement
- One report said the system was moving at 7 km/h, while another reported westward movement at 18 km/h.
- Reported distances
- Distances cited included 150 km from Gopalpur, 100 km from Kalingapatnam, 220 km from Puri and 180 km from Visakhapatnam; another report gave different distances.
- Rainfall forecast
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall was forecast across Coastal Andhra, with isolated extremely heavy rain in some areas and possible rain in Yanam and Rayalaseema.
- Affected districts
- Heavy rain was forecast in districts including Srikakulam, Manyam, Alluri, Polavaram, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.
- Government response
- State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force teams, field machinery, officials and round-the-clock control rooms were placed on alert.
- Public advice
- People were told to avoid the sea, trees, hoardings and unsafe structures; fishermen were ordered not to venture into the sea.
Sources
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