Moderate to heavy rainfall affected several parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday as a depression over the Bay of Bengal moved towards the state’s coast.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast unsettled weather, including heavy rainfall and gusty winds, across coastal districts on Wednesday and Thursday, September 23 and 24.
In view of the forecast, authorities have declared a holiday for schools and Anganwadi centres in Visakhapatnam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Srikakulam, Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR), Anakapalle and Vizianagaram districts on Wednesday.
Teams have also been positioned in vulnerable locations as a precautionary measure and to respond to any weather-related emergencies.
Red alert issued for several districts on September 23
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts on Wednesday. Some areas are expected to witness extremely heavy rainfall and have been placed under a red alert.
Parts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Kakinada, East Godavari and Eluru are also likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall has additionally been forecast in parts of Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and NTR districts.
Orange and yellow alerts for September 24
For Thursday, September 24, an orange alert has been issued for Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru districts, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Krishna, Guntur, NTR and Bapatla districts have been placed under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall on the same day.
Flash flood risk in several areas
The weather department has warned of a low to moderate risk of flash flooding across some watersheds and neighbourhoods in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Guntur, Palnadu, NTR and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts on Wednesday.
Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert as heavy rainfall could lead to waterlogging and localised flooding.
Winds up to 75 kmph along Andhra-Odisha coast
The IMD has forecast wind gusts of up to 75 kmph during this period, adding to the risk posed by the approaching weather system.
Rain brings relief to Visakhapatnam
The rainfall also brought relief to residents of Visakhapatnam, where several parts of the city received moderate rain for more than three hours on Tuesday.
The showers provided a break from the hot and humid conditions that had persisted in the city. It was the first time this monsoon season that Visakhapatnam experienced a notably wet day, with rain continuing from morning until evening.
[With TOI inputs]
