The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather warning for the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify significantly. This weather system is anticipated to bring widespread heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, along with strong winds, across several states in Eastern and Southern India.
System Intensification and Movement
The low-pressure area, which initially formed over the north Andaman Sea, consolidated over the east-central Bay of Bengal. The IMD forecasts its progression into a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal by Monday, September 21. Further intensification into a deep depression is expected by September 22 over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
The system is projected to continue its west-northwestward movement, nearing the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around the morning of September 23. This trajectory puts a vast coastal stretch at high risk of severe weather conditions.
Extremely Heavy Rainfall Expected
Specific warnings indicate isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall for north Coastal Andhra Pradesh from September 22 to 24, and for south Odisha from September 22 to 25. Adjoining regions, including Chhattisgarh and Telangana, are likely to experience similar conditions from September 23 to 25, while Vidarbha could see heavy to very heavy rain on September 24 and 25.
Of particular concern is the forecast for isolated extremely heavy rainfall over south Odisha and north Coastal Andhra Pradesh on September 23 and 24. South Chhattisgarh is also expected to receive extremely heavy rain on September 24.
Thunderstorms and Strong Winds
Beyond the heavy rainfall, the IMD has warned of associated atmospheric disturbances. Odisha is likely to experience thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, on September 23 and 24. Similar conditions are expected for Telangana from September 23 to 25.
Strong surface winds are also anticipated over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from September 20 to 24, over Rayalaseema from September 20 to 23, and over Telangana from September 23 to 25.
Widespread Rain Across East and South India
The broader forecast includes fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Gangetic West Bengal from September 20 to 26. Jharkhand, Odisha, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to see widespread rain from September 22 to 26, with Bihar joining from September 24 to 26.
In Southern India, widespread rain is expected over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam from September 22 to 24, and Telangana from September 21 to 26. Kerala and Mahe are also predicted to receive widespread rain on September 20, 21, and again from September 24 to 25, alongside Coastal Karnataka and other parts of Karnataka throughout the period. Parts of Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema, and other Andhra Pradesh regions will also experience heavy rainfall in the coming days.