Amaravati (Uttam Hindu News) : Heavy rain continues to impact parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region as a depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed the coast between Puducherry and Nellore early Thursday morning. Normal life has been severely disrupted in the Rayalaseema region and coastal districts, including Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, East Godavari, and Visakhapatnam. The sea has become turbulent, with high waves reported along the coasts of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts, causing significant concerns for local residents and authorities.
In Visakhapatnam, high tidal waves have reached the shops at RK Beach, while similar conditions were observed in Kakinada, where the sea has damaged houses and uprooted trees and electric poles. The situation is also precarious at Odalarevu beach in Konaseema, where seawater inundated the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plant and affected aqua farms. Authorities have issued third warning signals at various ports, including Nizampatan and Krishnapatnam, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned about tidal waves potentially reaching 1.5 meters.
The IMD forecasts continued heavy rainfall in isolated areas of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, along with squally weather and wind speeds between 25-35 kmph, gusting up to 45 kmph. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the West Central and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged officials to remain vigilant and has held a review meeting to ensure necessary precautions are taken for water management in irrigation projects amidst the risk of flash floods in certain districts.
