Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the rainfall situation in several districts of the state and directed the administration to stay vigilant and prepared for the heavy rains expected from the cyclonic storm on October 17.
The CM's office said, "In light of the heavy rains occurring in the state, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu advised officials to remain vigilant. He reviewed the heavy rainfall affecting several districts, including Nellore."
Given that some areas have received over 20 cm of rain and the possibility of flash floods, the Chief Minister instructed the administration to stay on alert.
CM Naidu also directed the officials to keep him updated on the conditions in the flood-affected districts. A depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall near the coast between Puducherry and Nellore on October 17 morning and is likely to cause heavy rainfall in several places of South Coast and Rayalaseema.
Ronanki Kurmanath, Meteorological Department, Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority said, "A depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm which is moving in a northwest direction at a speed of 10 km/h. It is located 440 km from Chennai, 460 km from Puducherry, and 530 km from Nellore."
"The storm is expected to make landfall near the coast between Puducherry and Nellore by tomorrow morning. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several places in the South Coast and Rayalaseema, with extremely heavy rainfall likely in some areas. Along the coast, wind speeds of 40-60 km/h are expected," said Kurmanath.
The official further said that fishermen are advised not to venture out to sea and that the public should remain alert and take necessary precautions.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department said that the depression laid centre as of 5:30 pm on Tuesday over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 490 kilometres from the east-southeast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. This development comes following the commencement of northeast monsoon rainfall activity over southeast peninsular India.