Heavy rain likely in North Coastal A.P. until August 19 as fresh low pressure brewing over Bay of Bengal

Close on the heels of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal that triggered heavy rainfall in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh earlier this week, a similar weather system is likely to be formed in the next three days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a fresh low-pressure zone is likely to form over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal around August 18. The existing low pressure, formed over south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, lay over south Chhattisgarh at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday.

The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extended upto 7.6 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move westnorthwestwards and weaken gradually around August 18.

Under the influence of the low pressure and due to troughs, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh until August 19, while heavy rain is likely at isolated places in South Coastal A.P. and Rayalaseema during the period.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju on August 17.

On August 18, an orange alert was issued for the South Coastal A.P. and on August 19, the orange alert is for Eluru, West Godavari, Vizianagaram and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts.

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain, in a press statement, said all the districts likely to be affected have been alerted.

The APSDMA has advised people not to stand near trees or dilapidated buildings for shelter and not to cross overflowing streams or canals. Fishermen have been advised not to ventire into teh sea till Tuesday.