A well-marked low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, North Andhra Pradesh, and South Odisha coasts is set to escalate into a depression within the next 12 hours, the Meteorological Department warned on Monday. This weather event is expected to unleash heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Andhra Pradesh, prompting authorities to prepare for potential disruptions.

The Met Department predicts the system will move west-northwest, crossing the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts by the forenoon of August 19. North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP) and Yanam are forecast to experience extremely heavy rainfall, while South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) may see heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places. Rayalaseema is expected to face heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 km per hour from August 19 to 22.

For Monday, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated across coastal Andhra Pradesh, with light to moderate rain in Rayalaseema. Specific districts, including Alluri Sitarama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, and Eluru, are braced for extremely heavy rainfall. Heavy to very heavy rain is also forecast for Srikakulam, Parvatipuram Manyam, West Godavari, Konaseema, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nandyal, Kurnool, and Palnadu districts.

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The cyclonic circulation associated with this system extends up to 9.6 km above sea level, tilting southwestwards, with the low-pressure area reaching 1.5 km above sea level. The monsoon trough, currently passing through Naliya, Jalgaon, Brahmapuri, and Jagalpur, is amplifying the weather event’s impact. Recent rainfall data underscores the system’s intensity, with Paderu (Alluri Sitarama Raju) recording 16 cm of rain, Chodavaram (Anakapalli) 14 cm, and Bheemunipatnam and Vepada (Visakhapatnam) 13 cm each. In Rayalaseema, Nandikotkur and Atmakur (Nandyal) logged 5 cm each, while Kurnool and Nandavaram (Kurnool) recorded 4 cm.

Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, as the impending depression could lead to flooding, road closures, and power outages. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has activated emergency response teams, and local administrations are monitoring vulnerable areas to mitigate risks posed by the intensifying weather system.

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