Deep depression crosses Andhra coast as rain hits multiple states

System Landfall

A deep depression over Andhra Pradesh has moved west-northwestwards and crossed the coast close to Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district. The India Meteorological Department stated that the system made landfall between 11 pm on Wednesday and 1 am on Thursday.

Wind And Rain

The rainfall came with maximum sustained winds reaching speeds of up to 75 kilometres per hour. The system moved at a speed of three kilometres per hour before crossing the coast. By 5:30 am on Thursday, the weather system lay centred about 50 kilometres west of Kalingapatnam, 80 kilometres north-northeast of Visakhapatnam, and 170 kilometres southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha.

Regional Impact

Odisha issued a heavy rain alert for Puri for the next two days. The Puri administration hoisted red flags, banned sea bathing for tourists, and deployed lifeguards along the beach. In Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada city in NTR district saw continuous rainfall from Wednesday morning, leaving low-lying areas flooded, while several schools declared a holiday for the second straight day. Further north, Jharkhand issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in cities including Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts for 24 hours until Friday morning.

Forecast

The weather department expects the system to move northwestwards while keeping its intensity as a deep depression for the next 12 hours. It will then move north-northwestwards and gradually weaken over the following 24 hours, turning into a depression on Thursday and Friday before becoming a well-marked low pressure area on Saturday.