Palasa Records 14 cm Rainfall as Severe Depression Hits Andhra

Several parts of Andhra Pradesh witnessed heavy to very heavy rainfall under the influence of a severe depression over the Bay of Bengal, with Palasa in Srikakulam district recording the highest rainfall of 14 cm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. Sompeta received 13 cm, Kalingapatnam 12 cm, Tekkali 11 cm and Araku Valley 10 cm, while heavy showers were also reported from Visakhapatnam and other areas.

With the weather system expected to affect more parts of the state, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed district collectors and officials to remain on high alert. Authorities were asked to identify vulnerable locations, warn residents in advance and closely monitor river flows and reservoir levels. Officials said 129 mandals could receive heavy rainfall, while moderate showers were expected in 121 mandals. Very heavy rainfall was forecast in nine mandals and extremely heavy rainfall in two.

The IMD issued a red alert for four districts - Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam and Alluri Sitarama Raju - forecasting isolated extremely heavy rainfall during the 24-hour period from Wednesday morning. Heavy to very heavy rainfall was also likely in Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam and Eluru. Several other districts, including NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Anantapur, Kurnool and Nandyal, were also expected to receive heavy showers.

The weather department warned that intense rainfall could cause waterlogging, flash flooding, traffic disruptions and damage from uprooted trees and electricity poles. Low-lying areas and infrastructure around dams and reservoirs were also considered vulnerable.

The situation was already affecting daily life in Srikakulam. Continuous rain inundated agricultural fields, roads and low-lying areas, while rainwater entered houses in Bhavaninagar, Tekkali. A tree was also uprooted in Neelapuram mandal.

According to the Amaravati Meteorological Centre, the severe depression was located about 140 km from Visakhapatnam and 60 km southeast of Kalingapatnam at 8.30 am on Wednesday. It was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam by Wednesday night.

APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain urged people in low-lying areas to remain cautious about flash floods and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until conditions improve.