As Deep Depression Nears Coast…North Andhra put on high alert

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday put the state administration on high alert as a deep depression over the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal moved towards the North Andhra coast, with officials warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and possible flash floods.

The Chief Minister reviewed the situation with the Chief Secretary, DGP, ministers and senior officials and directed District Collectors and field-level machinery to remain alert, warn people in vulnerable areas and take preventive measures in advance. Officials said the system was likely to cross the coast near Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district, between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, on Wednesday night with wind speeds potentially reaching 85 kmph at landfall.

The system was moving at about 5 kmph and was located around 50 km from Kalingapatnam, 150 km from Gopalpur and 120 km from Visakhapatnam. Gusty winds of 55-65 kmph were expected along the North Andhra coast.

Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Moderate to very heavy rain is forecast in parts of West Godavari, East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru, Krishna and NTR districts.

Heavy rainfall is also possible in several districts on September 24 and 25.

Of the 261 mandals covered by the forecast, 129 are expected to receive heavy rainfall, 121 normal rainfall, nine very heavy rainfall and two extremely heavy rainfall.

The administration has been warned of flash floods in streams and rivulets across North Coastal Andhra and the Godavari catchment areas. The Chief Minister directed officials to continuously monitor river flows and reservoir levels and take appropriate measures regarding water storage and inflows.

The Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Command Control Centre has been placed on high alert. It is coordinating with the AWARE wing and district administrations to track the depression’s movement, rainfall intensity, wind conditions, reservoir levels and vulnerable locations. Alerts and advisories are being sent to citizens’ mobile phones and shared with district authorities, line departments and field-level personnel, including Swarna Gram and Swarna Ward Sachivalayam staff, to ensure last-mile dissemination of warnings.

RTGS officials said particular attention was being given to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, ASR and Anakapalli districts. Advance information on areas vulnerable to intense rainfall and sudden flooding is being shared with the respective administrations.

Disaster Management Authority managing director and RTGS CEO Prakhar Jain, and RTG department secretary Bhaskar Katamneni are reviewing preparedness measures. Citizens have been advised to monitor alerts through the AWARE App and website and follow precautionary instructions issued by the authorities.

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The Hans India