Bay of Bengal Low-Pressure Area Puts Andhra Pradesh on High Alert

The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up its preparedness following forecasts that a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a depression over the next two days and move towards the South Odisha–North Andhra coast.

State Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha conducted a high-level emergency review on Monday to assess the likely impact of the weather system and the state’s preparedness. She held a teleconference with Collectors and Superintendents of Police of potentially affected districts, Disaster Management Authority MD Prakhar Jain and other senior officials.

During the meeting, Anitha directed district administrations to initiate precautionary measures at the field level and remain prepared for any deterioration in weather conditions. According to forecasts discussed during the review, North Andhra is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday as the system strengthens.

The Minister also asked officials to closely monitor the Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers, particularly as heavy rainfall is expected in neighbouring Odisha. Officials in districts bordering Odisha were told to maintain regular coordination with their counterparts across the border and assess the situation continuously.

Anitha instructed authorities to keep SDRF and NDRF teams on standby so that rescue and relief operations can be launched quickly if required. She stressed that preparedness should focus on preventing casualties and ensuring a swift response in vulnerable locations.

The Minister directed the state and district administrations to keep control rooms operational 24 hours and ensure that field-level officials remain available for continuous monitoring. Authorities were asked to stock essential commodities, medicines and other emergency supplies in advance.

Officials were also instructed to identify vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas and shift residents to relief centres whenever necessary. Warning boards must be placed near overflowing streams, dangerous causeways and flood-prone locations, while movement of people and vehicles should be restricted in areas posing a risk to life.

The weather system is also expected to bring strong winds of 50–60 kmph along the coast. Anitha advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and urged residents to stay away from trees, large hoardings and old or dilapidated buildings.

The Minister appealed to people to remain alert and follow official government advisories as the weather system develops.