Low pressure area in Bay of Bengal: Heavy rains to continue to lash Telangana, AP for next four days

HYDERABAD: The Low Pressure Area (LPA) in the Bay of Bengal coupled with the southwest monsoon and surface periodicity resulted in heavy to very heavy rains in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the last couple of days. Normal life was thrown out of gear with rain disrupting power supply in many areas and causing traffic jams in various parts of Hyderabad.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a red alert in Telangana on Saturday. A yellow alert was given for the remaining days beginning from Saturday till July 26, 2023. Heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur in isolated places in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal and Nizamabad districts in Telangana on Saturday.

Heavy rain is very likely to occur in isolated places in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagityal, Rajanna Siricilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Sangareddy, Medak and Kamareddy districts in Telangana for the next five days beginning from Saturday, according to the IMD.

In Hyderabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporations (GHMC) Director of Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management advised people to stay indoors during the rains. Heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Rangareddy districts of GHMC limits in the next 24 hours. Denizens could dial 040-21111111 or 9000113667 for assistance with tree falls and flood rescue.

Hyderabad Commissioner of Police (CP) CV Anand also requested the citizens to cooperate with traffic police who were deployed on duties to streamline the traffic during the rains. “In view of heavy rains lashing Hyderabad, the State Government has declared holidays for employees. People working in the private sector are requested to follow the work from home guidelines given by their respective companies,” the CP said.

In the wake of heavy rains in the city over the last four days, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, (MA&UD) Special Chief Secretary, Arvind Kumar, on Friday took to Twitter and asked people to report issues associated with rain such as water logging, fallen tree branches, partial inundation and other issues. “To register requests regarding water logging, fallen tree branches, partial inundation and any other rains related issues citizens are requested to contact 040 21111111 or 90001-13667,” Arvind Kumar said.

Meanwhile, Telangana MAUD Minister KT Rama Rao commended the efforts of GHMC monsoon emergency teams, including DRF teams, for their exceptional work on field clearing stagnation points due to incessant rains. Taking to Twitter, KTR said, “Keep at it guys. Can't appreciate enough all the hard work being put in by the team.”

Taking to Twitter, T Balaji, popularly known as Telangana Weatherman said, “Massive rains are expected all over North Telangana districts. Already it's pouring and more continuous heavy downpours ahead, leading to floods. Central Telangana will have moderate - heavy rain, while only light-moderate rains are expected in South Telangana on Friday. Just four days of rain and the Hyderabad deficit was all wiped off. We are in excess now. With more rain in store, the excess rainfall will be at the end of July. Also, various districts of Telangana fall into the normal - excess category of rain. With the last few days of rain, the excess will further increase by the end of July.”

In Andhra Pradesh, moderate to heavy rain is likely in several parts for the next three days under the influence of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast. The low pressure is likely to turn into a cyclone, causing heavy rainfall under its influence. Another low-pressure area would form over the Bay of Bengal on July 29, 2023, and rains are likely under its influence till August 3, 2023, according to the IMD.

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Dr BR Ambedkar said that light to moderate rain is likely to occur in the State for the next three days, especially in the districts such as Manyam, Alluri, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Kurnool, and Nandyal. He also mentioned that the State would experience cloudy and rainy weather for the next three days.

Taking to Twitter, Sai Kiran, popularly known as Vizag Weatherman said,“Andhra Pradesh is facing 22 percent rainfall deficiency. The current LPA in the Bay of Bengal showed some impact, mostly on the Uttarandhra region. I hope that another LPA will be formed next week. While Telangana moved into the excess rainfall category with LPA impact.”