The skies finally opened over Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, bringing relief from a prolonged dry spell that had gripped the region for the first three months of the monsoon season. Thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall drenched cities and villages alike, with waterlogging reported in several low-lying areas of Vijayawada.

Key facts

  • Yellow alert remains for Parvathipuram-Manyam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts on Sunday
  • West Godavari recorded highest average rainfall at 46.2 mm in 24 hours
  • Penugonda mandal received maximum rainfall of 108.2 mm
  • Traffic disruptions reported in Vijayawada at Benz Circle and NTR Circle

From Dry Spell to Downpour

Residents in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam woke to the rumble of thunderstorms and the steady drumming of rain on Saturday morning. For many, it was a welcome change from the sweltering heat that had persisted through July and August, despite multiple low-pressure systems forming over the Bay of Bengal that failed to deliver significant rainfall until now.

The sudden shift came courtesy of a low-pressure area that developed over Coastal South Odisha and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. By 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, it had moved to South Chhattisgarh and its neighborhood, expected to travel west-northwest across South Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha within the next 24 hours.

Impact and Disruptions

In Vijayawada, the downpour caused noticeable disruptions. The Pandit Nehru Bus Station area and other low-lying zones were waterlogged, leading to traffic snarls at major junctions like Benz Circle and NTR Circle. Vehicles were stranded for nearly an hour as rainwater accumulated faster than drainage systems could handle.

Visakhapatnam experienced milder conditions, with continuous drizzle and intermittent moderate rainfall throughout the day. While no flooding occurred, the city enjoyed a substantial drop in temperature, offering respite from the prolonged heat.

Looking Ahead

According to APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain, moderate rains with thunderstorms are likely to continue in parts of Anakapalli, East Godavari, West Godavari, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, and Palnadu districts on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Department's 3 p.m. bulletin reinforced this, maintaining a yellow alert for Parvathipuram-Manyam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts where isolated heavy rainfall is expected on September 13.

Rainfall data shared by APSDMA highlighted West Godavari and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts as the epicenters of the downpour. West Godavari recorded an average of 46.2 mm of rain between Friday and Saturday morning, while Konaseema registered 36.4 mm. Penugonda mandal in West Godavari received the highest amount at 108.2 mm.