Heavy Rains and Cyclone Warnings in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Signal 3 port warning for Kalingapatnam, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada ports in Andhra Pradesh due to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. Signal 3 indicates that a depression has formed, with surface winds likely between 22-27 knots (40-50 kmph).
According to Srinuvas, MD of the Visakhapatnam cyclone warning centre, the depression is located near latitude 19.2°N and longitude 86.2°E, about 70 km southeast of Puri (Odisha), 130 km east of Gopalpur (Odisha), 130 km south-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), and 240 km east-northeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Odisha coast near Puri during the early morning hours of July 20, then move west-northwestwards across Odisha and Chhattisgarh, weakening gradually over the next 24 hours.
Several parts of Andhra Pradesh experienced heavy rain on Friday. In the Alluri Seetharamaraju district, district collector Dinesh Kumar declared a holiday for all educational institutions due to the widespread rains. Tamil Nadu and Kerala also experienced heavy rains, with the Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu facing landslides and fallen trees, leading to school closures in affected areas. The Kottayam district in Kerala is waterlogged, with many houses underwater and roads submerged. The IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in isolated regions of Kerala.
Doubts Revealed
India Meteorological Department -: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a government agency in India that studies the weather and gives weather forecasts.
Signal 3 port warning -: A Signal 3 port warning means that there is a strong possibility of bad weather, like a cyclone, which can affect ships and boats at the port.
Kalingapatnam, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada -: These are port cities in the state of Andhra Pradesh, located on the eastern coast of India.
low-pressure area -: A low-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas, often leading to bad weather like rain and storms.
Bay of Bengal -: The Bay of Bengal is a large body of water to the east of India, which often influences the weather in nearby regions.
landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of earth or rocks slide down a hill or mountain, often caused by heavy rain.
waterlogging -: Waterlogging means that an area is flooded with water, making it difficult for people to move around.
depression -: In weather terms, a depression is a low-pressure system that can bring heavy rain and strong winds.
Odisha coast -: The Odisha coast is the eastern coastline of the state of Odisha in India, along the Bay of Bengal.
Puri -: Puri is a coastal city in the state of Odisha, famous for its temples and beaches.