Andhra Pradesh on High Alert as Cyclonic Storm Looms Over Bay of Bengal

The Andhra Pradesh government has issued an alert for coastal districts and parts of Rayalaseema, anticipating heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days due to a developing low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal. Officials warn that the low-pressure area may intensify into a cyclonic storm, prompting the government to take precautionary measures.

Following a warning from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Agency (APSDMA), Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted a teleconference with district collectors and key officials, directing them to take all necessary steps to prevent any loss of life or property damage. Naidu emphasized the importance of staying vigilant, especially in areas at risk of severe rainfall, urging authorities to prioritize public safety.

In response to the weather forecast, district collectors in Bapatla, Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor, and Tirupati have declared holidays for schools until October 17.

According to APSDMA Managing Director Ronanki Kurmanath, the low-pressure system formed early Monday over the southeastern Bay of Bengal and is expected to move toward the northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts over the next two days. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation is anticipated off the southern Andhra coast.

As a result, moderate to heavy rainfall has already been observed in districts such as Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Kurnool, and Nandyala. Similar conditions are expected in parts of Nellore, YSR, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati districts over the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain is also predicted in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, and Palnadu districts, with heavier rainfall expected on Wednesday and Thursday in isolated areas.

During the teleconference, Chief Minister Naidu urged officials to monitor all water bodies, including tanks, streams, and rivers, which may swell due to the impending rains. He emphasized the need for timely public alerts, the fortification of tank and canal bunds, and the establishment of control rooms to keep the public informed.

State Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha added that both state and national disaster response teams have been deployed to vulnerable areas. Drones are being used to assess potential breaches in tanks or canals, and rescue operations are on standby if required.

Several areas have already experienced significant rainfall, including Ongole and Tada with 8 cm, Kandukur, Vinjamuru, and Sullurupeta with 5 cm, and Kavali, Bapatla, and Srikalahasti with 4 cm each on Monday. Authorities remain on high alert, monitoring the situation closely as weather conditions evolve.