IMD Issues Red Alert for Six Andhra Districts, Heavy Rain Forecast for Tamil Nadu and Coastal Areas

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has given a red alert for six districts in Andhra Pradesh and a heavy rain warning for Tamil Nadu as the well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to become a depression by Wednesday evening.

The IMD has said that the weather system which is currently located at the northern Sri Lanka coast is pushing northwest and will cause extremely heavy rain and strong winds over the southern parts of India in the next 24 hours.

🌧️ Andhra Pradesh on Red Alert

The IMD has given a red alert for the districts of Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Annamayya, Tirupati, and Chittoor forecasting “heavy to extremely heavy” rainfall of more than 20 cm in a period of 24 hours.

For Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, and Sri Satyasai districts an orange alert has been issued where very heavy rain (11-20 cm) is expected.

Officials are warning of floods, water stagnant in areas, and also strong winds and are advising people to stay indoors and to avoid traveling unless it is an emergency.

🌊 Weather System Path and Forecast

The IMD reported that at 5:30 am the weather system was seen over the southwest Bay of Bengal at a position off the Tamil Nadu coast.

“It is expected that within the next 12 hours the weather system would become a depression over the southwest and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal which is located off the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts,” the Met Department announced.

After development, the depression is predicted to travel across the north of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the south of coastal Andhra Pradesh in a span of 12 hours.

Also, the agency has mentioned that the districts would experience Satyasai, Anantapur, Nandyal, Kurnool, and Bapatla will get heavy to very heavy rain.

🌧️ Tamil Nadu Braces for Downpour

In Tamil Nadu, the heavy rain is likely with many coastal districts including two major cities Chennai and Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai, getting the most affected; they will also experience intense rains and squally winds until October 23.

“A low-pressure area has formed and it is likely to move towards the counties of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh,” said IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty.

Due to heavy rainfall, the roads and traffic in certain parts of Chennai and Pudukkottai have been affected, as well as the uprooting of trees, and the showing of waterlogging has been through the visuals.

⚠️ Wind and Sea Conditions

The IMD forecasts:

Squally winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts of 60-65 kmph, are forecasted for the Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts and also to the adjacent areas until October 23.

The conditions in the ocean are rough and very rough over the southwest and central regions making it unsafe for marine operations.

Fishermen have been warned very strictly not to go out in the sea until the situation gets better. They who are already at the sea are being advised to come back to the shore without any delay.

🛑 Government Preparedness and Advisories

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha held a review meeting with the State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) and instructed all agencies to remain on high alert.

“People should not come out of their homes, refrain from traveling unless absolutely necessary, and stay in safe places as there are chances of high winds,” she said.

Revenue Minister A. Satya Prasad ordered the lower-lying areas to be evacuated and the fishermen not to work in the coastal areas.

APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain urged the public to be vigilant and precautionary. He said:

“Don’t seek refuge under trees or billboards and don’t try to cross roads or streams that are overflowing.”