As a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal drew closer to the state, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha ordered officials to stay “fully prepared” on Friday. She directed the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police, and fire services to immediately set up control centers, install warning boards, and prepare for deployment.
In a news statement, Anitha urged preventive steps in districts that are vulnerable to flooding and severe rain, saying that “field-level officials must be prepared to face any situation.” The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority predicts that on Saturday morning, the depression would move across the shores of north Andhra and south Odisha, bringing with it exceptionally heavy rainfall in several areas.
With squally coastal winds of up to 50 kmph, “moderate to heavy rain” is predicted for the districts of Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore, Godavari, Kurnool, and Nandyal. The public has been cautioned not to cross overflowing canals or seek cover beneath trees and dangerous buildings, and fishermen have been instructed not to go out to sea until Monday.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted that portions of Andhra Pradesh would have “heavy rain and thunderstorms with lightning” through October 2. According to the IMD, on September 26, “heavy rain at isolated places” was predicted over Rayalaseema and “heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places” over Yanam and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Over NC, SC, and Rayalaseema, thunderstorms with lightning are also anticipated, with isolated areas seeing winds of 40 to 50 kmph. Winds of 30 to 40 kmph are predicted over Rayalaseema on September 27 and will likely remain there till September 29. There will be isolated thunderstorms, “lightning and heavy rain” over NC and Yanam, and strong winds over coastal areas and Rayalaseema from September 30 to October 2.
The IMD added that a prominent low-pressure region over the northwest and nearby central Bay of Bengal is expected to develop into a depression and move across the shores of south Odisha and north Andhra on the morning of September 27.