Central, coastal A.P. receive season’s first spell of heavy rainfall

Many stations in central and coastal Andhra Pradesh received the first heavy southwest monsoon rainfall on Wednesday night, providing relief from dry and wet conditions.

While widespread and very heavy rains were recorded in the NTR region during the 24 hours ending Thursday morning, neighboring Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla districts were also subjected to widespread heavy rains.

According to information received from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), between 8.30 am on Wednesday and the same time period on Thursday, Chandrala in Mylavaram received 123.5 mm (considered very heavy), Kuchinapudi in Bapatla district received 119.25 mm, Vijayawada North in NTR district received 102 mm, Tadepalli in Guntur district (82 mm), Gudivada in Krishna district received 123.5 mm (considered very heavy). (76.25 mm), Garikipalem in Srikakulam district (72.5 mm), SRM University area in Guntur district (63.25 mm) and others.

Vehicles are passing through flooded roads after heavy rain lashed Vijayawada on Thursday. Waterlogging was reported at major intersections and streets, including PNB Bus Stand area, Bandar Road and Eluru Road. | Photo Credit: GN RAO

Moderate rainfall exceeding 40 mm was also witnessed in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari, Parvathipuram Manyam, Eluru districts at a few places. Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam and Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema areas experienced light showers. In Rayalaseema, except Nandyal, other districts did not report any rain during this period.

This marks the first heavy rain in many places this season, at a time when concerns about El Nino conditions are growing. Weather experts have previously stated that precipitation may remain normal in June and July, but activity may weaken in August and September, when El Nino conditions are stronger. Overall, the state is likely to experience below-normal rainfall this season.

Varying rainfall patterns were recorded in the state between 1 and 11 June. Annamayya, Chittoor, SPSR Nellore, Dr. While BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Srikakulam districts recorded ‘large inadequate’ rainfall, NTR, Krishna, Eluru and Bapatla districts reported ‘large excess’ rainfall.

While the state did not see much rain till 7 pm on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated heavy rain for coastal areas on June 12 (Friday) under the influence of two cyclonic circulations, one over the Bay of Bengal and the other over south coastal AP.

Conditions are favorable for the southwest monsoon to spread to Alluri Sitarama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts in the next two to three days. Meanwhile, heatwave conditions are likely to occur at isolated places in north coast Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and hot and humid conditions in south coast AP.