Andhra Pradesh Puts Teams on High Alert as Deep Depression Nears Coast

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has put state officials on high alert as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moves toward the coast. A review meeting in Vijayawada on Sunday evaluated safety steps, evacuation plans, and relief preparations to reduce harm to residents. Ten teams from the National Disaster Response Force and eleven teams from the State Disaster Response Force are ready for rescue missions.

Storm Path And Timing

The weather system sits about 850 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 930 kilometres from Kakinada. Officials predict it will grow into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, turn into a severe cyclonic storm by that night, and become a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27. The storm is expected to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28, with a possible landfall near the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada belt.

Wind And Rain Projections

Wind speeds during landfall could hit 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, with gust speeds reaching up to 140 kilometres per hour. Coastal districts will face strong winds starting on the morning of October 27. North Andhra and central coastal areas expect heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 27 and 28, with some places seeing exceptionally heavy downpours. Anakapalli district might get an average rainfall of 292.55 millimetres, Alluri Sitarama Raju district 281.17 millimetres, Visakhapatnam 253.87 millimetres, and Srikakulam 249.18 millimetres. The state's average rainfall over five days is estimated at 95 millimetres.

Official Directions

Chief Minister Naidu told officials to work together across departments, watch conditions closely, and arrange food, drinking water, power restoration, and medical help in advance. He ordered all boats at sea to return immediately and told fishermen to stay away from rough waters. He also asked teams to use expected flood water to fill up state reservoirs. Top officials, including Chief Secretary Sai Prasad and DGP Harish Gupta, attended the meeting.

Context

Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal frequently bring heavy winds and intense rainfall to India's eastern coastline during this time of the year. State governments typically deploy disaster response forces and set up relief camps ahead of landfall to protect vulnerable populations and limit property damage.