The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for several states on August 31, warning of very heavy rains in Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The alert follows the intensification of a well-marked low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal into a depression, with the system expected to cross the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur, close to Kalingapatnam, around midnight.
In Karnataka, scattered heavy to very heavy rain is predicted to occur over Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada districts. Additionally, heavy rains and sustained winds reaching speeds of 35-45 kmph are forecast for Belagavi, Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Raichur, Vijayapura, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Hassan districts.
Depression Over Bay of Bengal Intensifies
The IMD reported that the well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, near the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a depression. IMD said, "As of 05:30 IST on August 31, 2024, the depression was centered near latitude 17.5°N and longitude 84.5°E."
"It is likely to move further west-northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur close to Kalingapatnam around midnight of today, the 31st August 2024," it said.
In Telangana, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers in several areas across the state.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions due to the anticipated adverse weather conditions.
House Collapse In Vijayawada
One girl died after a house collapsed due to heavy rains in Mogalrajapuram on Saturday.
"This morning around 6.45 am, a rock fell on two houses. Nine people lived here, out of them, two were not here. Earlier, we found three members during a rescue operation. We immediately sent them to Government General Hospital in Vijayawada. One girl died," said Vijayawada Sub Collector Bhavani Shankar.