A cyclone alert has been issued for the northern coastal region of the state of Andhra Pradesh with the Indian Meteorological Department predicting 'very heavy to extremely heavy' rains in the region. The IMD has stated that depression has formed over west-central Bay of Bengal which could intensify into a cyclonic storm.
"A cyclone alert has been given as a deep depression has formed in west-central Bay of Bengal and moving towards the southeast coast of Kalingapatnam, due to which northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh will witness rainfall in the coming two days," IMD officials informed TNM.
Speaking to TNM, Dr Nagaratna, a scientist at IMD Hyderabad, said, “Due to the deep depression, north coastal districts like Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakapatanam East and West Godavari (twin districts) will see light to moderate and heavy rainfall, along with very heavy to extremely heavy rains in several places."
"The depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross south Odisha - north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam and Puri (Odisha), close to Gopalpur around midnight as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph," an IMD statement said.
The neighbouring state of Odisha, too, will witness heavy rains in certain south coastal areas.
After incessant rains lashed parts of the state last month, several dams have swelled with water levels rising in the basins of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has issued a warning to the residents living in the coastal region. A press communique from APSDMA said that they have warned fishermen asking them not to venture into the sea.
The release has also said authorities in the northern coastal districts in the state have also been alerted.
(With IANS inputs)