Heavy rains expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh in next four days as low pressure in Bay of Bengal

The meteorological department has forecast low pressure area in the northwestern Bay of Bengal on Thursday due to the impact of surface trough. It is revealed that it would remain stable for two days and shall be strengthened. "There is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rains in the coastal Andhra and Yanam areas for the next four days and moderate rains in Rayalaseema," said Stella, director, Amaravati Meteorological Center.

The winds are expected to blow at a speed of 45-55 kmph along the coast and the sea will be rough with waves up to 3.5 meters high. The Department of Disaster Management has warned fishermen not to go hunting at sea. Meanwhile, cloudy weather prevailed in the coastal region on Wednesday with heavy rains lashed the parts of Visakhapatnam, twin Godavari and Kurnool districts.

On the other hand, heavy downpours continued into the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Godavari water level is rising at Bhadrachalam with the water level crossing 32 feet. The flood at Godavari is also increasing at Polavaram. The water level at Polavaram Project Coffer dam reached 24.750 meters, as well as 10.610 meters at Polavaram. Heavy flood water is reaching into the spillway channel. Traffic to 19 tribal villages was disrupted as five feet of floodwaters reached the Kottur Causeway.

Godavari flood flow at Dhawaleswaram Cotton Barrage is slightly increasing. Currently the barrage water level has risen to 9.40 feet. Authorities are lifting 175 gates slightly to release 4.05 lakh cusecs of water into the sea. Also, 10,500 cusecs of irrigation water was released to both the Godavari districts. On the other hand, the Srisailam reservoir also continues to flood with an inflow of 55,011 cusecs and an outflow of 38,140 cusecs. Also, the full water level of the reservoir was 885 feet and now the water level has reached 864.90 feet. Out of total storage capacity of 215.807 TMCs, 122.1236 TMCs water present in the reservoir. On the other hand, the left bank hydroelectric power station continues to generate electricity at full capacity.