Bay depression to intensify, cross Andhra-Odisha coast on September 23 night
The depression over the Bay of Bengal is set to become a deep depression and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur on the night of September 23.
A depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a deep depression and make landfall along the north Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur during the night of September 23 and the early hours of September 24, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a special bulletin.
The system, positioned over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, moved west-northwestward at about 18 km/h in the six hours before the bulletin was issued at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday it lay near latitude 17.9° N and longitude 86.0° E — roughly 200 km southeast of Gopalpur, 200 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 210 km south of Puri and 290 km east of Visakhapatnam.
Forecasters expect the system to continue moving west-northwestward and intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours.
Uttarandhra received widespread rain on Tuesday, with Srikakulam district recording some of the heaviest falls. Palasa alone logged 100 mm between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Water spilled onto roads in several parts of Palasa and Kasibugga, disrupting traders and commuters near the Railway Gate, Kasibugga Junction and Chinabadam. Tekkali, Santhabommali, Naupada, Srikakulam Rural, Kotabommali and Mandasa also reported substantial rainfall.
In Visakhapatnam district, Madhurawada recorded the highest rainfall at 66 mm, followed by Gambheeram at 63 mm and Padmanabham at 61 mm. Steady showers in Seethammadhara, Dairy Farm, Sheela Nagar and Gajuwaka slowed traffic as motorists negotiated waterlogged roads. Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district topped its region with 63 mm till 6 p.m., while Poosapatirega, Denkada and Nellimerla each crossed 50 mm.
The Agency areas also received good rain, with Araku, Paderu, Pedabayalu and Dumbriguda recording more than 50 mm on Tuesday morning. The continuous showers brought cool, breezy conditions to the hill region.
Authorities have declared a holiday for schools in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Srikakulam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts on Wednesday.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along the Andhra Pradesh coast till September 25, warning that the sea is likely to remain very rough till September 24. Local Cautionary Signal No. III remains hoisted at Kalingapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Kakinada ports.
Heavy rainfall has been forecast for isolated places in Kakinada-Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool and Nandyal districts.
Home and Disaster Management Minister V. Anitha directed officials across all districts to stay alert and take the necessary precautionary measures in view of the approaching weather system.