IMD forecasts heavy rain in north coastal Andhra; Vizianagaram, Srikakulam on alert

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Visitors enjoy the cloudy weather at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam on Monday evening.. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

An orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, has brought renewed hope of good rainfall across north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Several places from Srikakulam to Anakapalli have received steady showers since Monday (September 21, 2026) evening.

The well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is expected to strengthen further on its way towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast.

People take shelter at the RK Beach bus stop during a sudden spell of rain in Visakhapatnam on Monday evening. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

The IMD expects the system to continue moving west-northwestwards and reach close to the coast by Wednesday (September 23, 2026) morning. It has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Tuesday and Wednesday, and thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and over Rayalaseema. Winds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely at isolated places in both regions.

Visakhapatnam has had steady rain since Monday evening, a relief to residents after several days of hot weather. The rain has also raised hopes of better water levels in reservoirs and of recharge for groundwater sources, which have depleted during the city’s water crisis.

Several areas recorded good rainfall on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) morning, according to rainfall data on government websites: Madhurawada, Gambhiram, Sheela Nagar, Pendurthi, Butchirajupalem (NAD Junction), Padmanabham, Akkireddipalem, Maharanipeta, Kapuluppada and Seethammadhara were among them.

The rain disrupted the morning commute, and motorists struggled to reach offices through waterlogging and slippery roads. Schoolchildren went to school under colourful umbrellas and in raincoats, a bright touch on a gloomy morning. The showers also brought the city’s pothole-ridden roads into focus.

The Vizianagaram district administration has set up a control room (08922-236947) in the Collector’s office to monitor relief measures during the rain. Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy, Joint Collector S. Sedhu Madhavan and other senior officials directed all district and mandal officials to be vigilant for the next three days.

Srikakulam District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar inspects the low-lying APSRTC complex in Srikakulam on Monday night, ahead of the heavy rain forecast for the district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Srikakulam District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar reviewed the preparedness of officials in his district, which has a 190-km coastline from Pydibhimavaram to Ichchapuram on the State’s northern border and is expected to receive more rain. On Tuesday night, he visited several low-lying areas of Srikakulam town, including the APSRTC complex, which is inundated every rainy season, and directed the municipal authorities to clear the drains.

“We directed all revenue and irrigation officials to have coordination in all mandals and provide information to the district administration over the situation in their respective areas. The people living in low lying areas will be shifted to safe places if needed,” Mr. Pundkar told The Hindu.

Rivers such as the Nagavali and the Vamsadhara are likely to receive large inflows from rain in their catchment areas between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The rain would be welcome in the north Andhra districts, which have a rainfall deficit of about 50% this kharif season.

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