IMD predicts more rainfall across Andhra Pradesh over next two days

Visakhapatnam/Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is bracing for more heavy rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting isolated heavy showers in the south coastal, north coastal, and Rayalaseema regions over the next two days.Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has put govt departments on high alert, instructing officials to take necessary safety measures and evacuate people from low-lying areas.Heavy rainfall has already battered several districts, including Bapatla, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and Srikakulam, causing waterlogging and traffic congestion. Repalle in Bapatla district received 9 cm of rainfall, while Avanigadda and Masulipatnam in Krishna district, and Kakinada got 6 cm each. Other areas, including Bheemavaram, Kaikaluru, and Gudivada, also experienced significant rainfall.Vijayawada City was severely affected, with heavy rainfall causing significant waterlogging in low-lying areas like KR Market, Benz Circle, and Nirmala Convent Road. The city's drainage system was overwhelmed, and roads were submerged under water. However, the civic body quickly responded by deploying personnel and machines to clear the water stagnation.Speaking to TOI, S Karuna Sagar, scientist at IMD-Amaravati, said that the upper air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and the trough from southeast Bay of Bengal to north interior Karnataka are expected to bring more rains to the state. The rainfall has also led to a drop in maximum temperatures, with some areas experiencing a dip of 5-9 degrees Celsius below normal.The NTR district administration has taken proactive measures, opening a Command Control Centre (CCC) to address rain-related grievances. Citizens can report issues by contacting 9154970454. Neighboring Krishna district also received heavy rainfall, with Pamidimukkala Mandal recording the highest rainfall of 87.2 mm, followed by Challapalli, Mopidevi, and Ghantasala Mandals on Tuesday. The district received a cumulative total of 1,106 mm of rainfall, while the district's average rainfall stood at 44.3 mm till 8:30 am on Tuesday.Meanwhile, several areas in the state witnessed hot and humid conditions on Tuesday. According to IMD, Kurnool was the hottest in the state on Tuesday with 36.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Nandyal (36.°C), Visakhapatnam (35.4°C), Tirupati (35.2°C), Kadapa (34.2°C), and Jangamaheswarapuram (34°C).