12 hrs ago
North Andhra Braces as Bay of Bengal Rains Intensify
A strong weather system over the Bay of Bengal is bringing heavy rain to North Andhra.
Officials in Visakhapatnam and nearby districts are preparing for emergencies.
They have identified places that could flood or face landslides.
They have also prepared shelters where people can stay if they need to leave their homes.
Eight families near a landslide-affected area were told to move to safer places.
Rescue vehicles and equipment are ready to clear fallen trees, waterlogging and landslides.
People have been asked to stay indoors during heavy rain when possible.
Fishermen and beach visitors have been told not to enter the rough sea.
Schools across North Andhra remained closed during the alert.
District administrations across North Andhra intensified preparedness as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal brought heavy rain.
Visakhapatnam identified 56 vulnerable areas and prepared 56 rehabilitation centres for possible evacuations.
Authorities readied rescue teams, 22 JCBs, 149 tippers or Tata Ace vehicles and 30 mini excavators.
Eight families near a landslide-prone area in Kasturi Nagar were ordered to move to safer locations.
Coastal authorities warned of waves up to 3.6 metres and advised fishermen, boat operators and beachgoers to avoid the sea.
- Who
- District administrations, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, emergency teams and residents of North Andhra are involved.
- What
- Authorities increased rain and emergency preparedness, prepared evacuation centres and issued warnings about flooding, landslides and rough seas.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and other North Andhra districts along the Bay of Bengal coast.
- When
- The preparations were reviewed on Wednesday; waves were forecast to reach the Visakhapatnam coast on September 24.
- Why
- A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal was expected to produce heavy rain, high waves and other weather-related hazards.
Key facts
- Vulnerable areas
- Visakhapatnam identified 56 vulnerable areas and prepared 56 rehabilitation centres.
- Emergency equipment
- GVMC kept 22 JCBs, 149 tippers or Tata Ace vehicles and 30 mini excavators ready.
- Reported incidents
- Visakhapatnam recorded 34 fallen-tree incidents over two days.
- Maximum forecast wave height
- Waves of up to 3.6 metres were expected along parts of the Vizianagaram coast.
- Highest reported rainfall
- Vajrapukothuru mandal in Srikakulam recorded 73.4 millimetres of rain.
- Evacuation action
- Officials directed eight families in landslide-affected Kasturi Nagar to move to safer locations.
- Alerts
- An orange alert was issued for Visakhapatnam, while red alerts covered Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and several other districts.









