Below-average monsoon leaves Visakhapatnam parched, thirsting for relief

This year’s southwest monsoon has left Visakhapatnam facing a drought-like situation, with the rainfall received so far falling short of the seasonal average.

According to data from the A.P. Water Resources Information & Management System (APWRIMS), eight mandals of Visakhapatnam district within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) limits have recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 18.45% between June 1 and August 10. The district received only 241.59 mm of rainfall against the normal 296.23 mm.

While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies this as “normal” rainfall, it is still significantly below the long-term average for the region. Mandal-wise data shows Anandapuram received 259.34 mm (10.82% less than the average 290.81 mm), Bhimunipatnam 277.21 mm (minus 5.93%), Padmanabham 289.85 mm (minus 26.62%), Gajuwaka 198.59 mm (minus 19.52%), Pendurthi 227.26 mm (minus 21.56%), Pedagantyada 197.84 mm (minus 31.67%), Visakhapatnam Rural 231.48 mm (minus 21.11%), and Visakhapatnam Urban 202.49 mm (minus 24.98%).

Some pockets, such as PM Palem and Bakkannapalem in Visakhapatnam Rural mandal, have not received any rainfall since the onset of the monsoon, barring showers in May. The prolonged dry spell has led to severe water scarcity in these localities.

“We managed water supply during the summer, but now the situation is worse due to the absence of rains since June. Our borewells have dried up, and we are depending entirely on water tankers. We desperately need abundant rainfall to recharge our borewells. This is unprecedented for a monsoon season in our area,” said B. Rambabu, treasurer of Sai Oak Dale Apartments in PM Palem.

Meteorologists at the IMD Amaravati centre said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by August 13. If conditions are favourable, the system may bring some rainfall to the region.