A satellite image of the depression in the Bay of Bengal. (Photo: Windy)

Monsoon system moving: Odisha, Andhra in rain crosshairs, expect heavy showers

A Bay of Bengal depression is intensifying, with strong winds and heavy rain expected across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the next few days.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Depression over Bay of Bengal moving towards Odisha-Andhra coast
  • Heavy to very heavy rain forecast in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
  • Winds to strengthen up to 65 kmph with gusts till 75 kmph

A depression over the Bay of Bengal is moving towards the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region and expected to intensify further over the next two days.

According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) bulletin issued on Tuesday morning, September 22, the system was centred over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, around 220 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 320 km east of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

It had moved west-northwestwards at about 17 kmph during the previous six hours.

A satellite image showing the depression moving through central India. (Photo: IMD)

The depression is very likely to strengthen into a deep depression within the next 12 hours.

It is then expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur from the night of September 23 into the early hours of September 24.

ODISHA, ANDHRA PRADESH SET FOR RAIN

The system has already triggered a wet spell across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with conditions expected to become more intense over the next two days.

In Odisha, light to moderate rain is expected in many places on September 22, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations.

On September 23 and 24, south Odisha is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain at several places, with extremely heavy rain possible at isolated locations.

People of low-lying areas stand near their flooded homes following heavy rain. (Photo: PTI)

Very heavy rain is expected at isolated places on September 25, followed by heavy rain on September 26.

Coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are also likely to receive widespread rain.

Heavy to very heavy rain is expected at a few places on September 23 and 24, while north Andhra Pradesh and Yanam could see extremely heavy rain at isolated locations. Heavy rain is likely to continue at isolated places on September 25.

WINDS TO GROW STRONG

The depression is also making coastal conditions increasingly rough. Winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, began along and off the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast early Tuesday.

People walk down the stairs amid heavy monsoon rainfall in Andhra Pradesh. (Photo: PTI)

The IMD expects winds to strengthen to 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, from Tuesday evening and further to 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, from September 23 until the evening of September 24.

The IMD has also warned of waterlogging, inundation and localised flooding in low-lying areas.

The agency has identified a low to moderate flash-flood risk in Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri and Khurda in Odisha, and Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

- Ends