Heavy Rains Cause Floods in Andhra Pradesh: IMD Issues Red Alert
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 1: The depression over South Odisha, South Chhattisgarh, and the north Andhra Pradesh coast is expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area, causing widespread rain over the state, said Srinuvas, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Visakhapatnam.
Srinuvas stated, “The depression is over South Odisha and adjoining South Chhattisgarh and the north Andhra Pradesh coast. It is likely to move in a west-northwest direction and gradually weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive widespread rain in the next 24 hours.”
The IMD has issued a red alert in some districts. The Budameru Vagu river, known as the ‘Sorrow of Vijayawada,’ is in spate due to heavy rains, leading to a flood-like situation in various parts of the city. Aerial visuals from Vijayawada show rainwater filling several areas of the city. Heavy rainfall on Sunday caused severe flooding in the Rama Krishna Puram area of Vijayawada, submerging houses and cars. Police and NDRF teams have initiated rescue and relief operations, relocating affected residents to rehabilitation centres.
The IMD has also issued a weather warning for the next five days, forecasting heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning for Sunday. For the following four days, isolated places in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are expected to experience thunderstorms with lightning.
On Saturday, a house in Mogalrajapuram collapsed due to a rock falling from a hill, resulting in the death of a woman. Two other women were hospitalized and are in stable condition. The house collapsed after a rock fell from the top of the hill amid heavy rainfall.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting on Saturday, instructing officials to remain vigilant in rain-affected areas. He directed the declaration of school holidays in regions experiencing heavy rainfall, the installation of warning boards near overflowing streams and rivers, and the issuance of alert messages to mobile phones. Naidu warned of potential hazards, including falling power lines and trees due to strong winds and rain.
Parts of Vijayawada and Warangal in Telangana were affected by rain on Saturday, leading to waterlogging in several areas.
Doubts Revealed
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern part of India. It has many cities and towns, and Vijayawada is one of them.
IMD -: IMD stands for India Meteorological Department. It is a government agency that predicts the weather and issues warnings about things like heavy rain and storms.
Red Alert -: A red alert is a warning issued by the IMD when very bad weather is expected. It means people should be very careful and take safety measures.
Vijayawada -: Vijayawada is a city in Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its temples and is located on the banks of the Krishna River.
NDRF -: NDRF stands for National Disaster Response Force. It is a special team in India that helps people during natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.
Mogalrajapuram -: Mogalrajapuram is a neighborhood in Vijayawada. It is one of the places affected by the heavy rains and flooding.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state in India. Chandrababu Naidu is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana -: Telangana is another state in southern India. It is next to Andhra Pradesh and is also affected by the heavy rains.
