Andhra Pradesh to see fairly widespread rainfall till July 24

A turn of weather is likely in the State as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has given a rain forecast for all the three regions of South Coastal A.P., North Coastal A.P. and Rayalaseema from July 18 to 24. Thereafter, until August 4, light to moderate rains are expected in North Coastal A.P.

True to the forecast issued earlier, Vijayawada received a brief spell of heavy rain on Thursday evening, providing relief to people from sweltering heat. The maximum temperatures in the city remained around 40 degree Celsius from July 13, Sunday.

Fairly widespread light to moderate rain is very likely in all the stations up to July 22, according to the IMD. Thereafter, while the rain is likely to continue in North Coastal A.P., in other parts, it will be scattered.

The State has recorded 38% deficit rainfall between May 26, when the Southwest Monsoon arrived in the State, and July 17. According to realtime rainfall information provided on the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), four districts, Palnadu, SPSR Nellore, Annamayya and YSR Kadapa, have registered large deficient rainfall till date. Their deficit percentages are between 55 and 75.

Out of 26 districts, only six have registered normal rainfall. They are Alluri Sitarama Raju, Eluru, Parvatipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool.

The IMD, in its forecast for July, had predicted a normal rainfall in the Rayalaseema region. It said South Coastal A.P. may receive normal to above-normal rainfall while North Coastal A.P. may receive normal to below-normal rainfall.

As per information on the DES, on Thursday between 8.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Utukuru station in Gampalagudem mandal in NTR district received the day’s maximum of 70.25 mm rainfall, followed by Bethapudi (51.5 mm) in Phirangipuram mandal of Guntur district and Parchur (50.25 mm) in Bapatla district.

At present, lower tropospheric south westerly/ westerly winds prevail over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, the IMD said.

People have been cautioned as thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds may prevail across the State.