Below-average monsoon leaves Visakhapatnam parched, thirsting for relief
According to data from the A.P. Water Resources Information & Management System (APWRIMS), eight mandals of Visakhapatnam district within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) limits have recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 18.45% between June 1 and August 10. The district received only 241.59 mm of rainfall against the normal 296.23 mm.
While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies this as 'normal' rainfall, it is still significantly below the long-term average for the region. Mandal-wise data shows Anandapuram received 259.34 mm (10.82% less than the average 290.81 mm), Bhimunipatnam 277.21 mm (minus 5.93%), Padmanabham 289.85 mm (minus 26.62%), Gajuwaka 198.59 mm (minus 19.52%), Pendurthi 227.26 mm (minus 21.56%), Pedagantyada 197.84 mm (minus 31.67%), Visakhapatnam Rural 231.48 mm (minus 21.11%), and Visakhapatnam Urban 202.49 mm (minus 24.98%).
Some pockets, such as PM Palem and Bakkannapalem in Visakhapatnam Rural mandal, have not received any rainfall since the onset of the monsoon, barring showers in May. The prolonged dry spell has led to severe water scarcity in these localities.
'We managed water supply during the summer, but now the situation is worse due to the absence of rains since June. Our borewells have dried up, and we are depending entirely on water tankers. We desperately need abundant rainfall to recharge our borewells. This is unprecedented for a monsoon season in our area,' said B. Rambabu, treasurer of Sai Oak Dale Apartments in PM Palem.
Meteorologists at the IMD Amaravati centre said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by August 13. If conditions are favourable, the system may bring some rainfall to the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Red alert for South Coastal Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains set to continue
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, on Wednesday issued red alerts for South Coastal Andhra Pradesh on August 14 (Thursday). Even as heavy rain lashed the districts of NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Krishna, Eluru, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Bapatla on August 13 (Wednesday), the districts have to brace for heavy to very heavy or extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday as well, according to a release from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati. A red alert has also been issued for West and East Godavari districts. For North Coastal A.P., an orange alert has been issued. The orange alert stays for all the districts, except for Rayalaseema, on August 15 (Friday) as well. During the 24 hours between 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday and the corresponding time on Wednesday, Mangalagiri recorded the highest of 19 cm or 190 mm of rainfall, according to the IMD. Last year, when the Budameru swelled causing floods in Vijayawada and surrounding areas, Mangalagiri in Guntur district had recorded nearly 300 mm (30 cm) in 24 hours. Mangalagiri was followed by Tenali, also in Guntur district, which recorded 18 cm, and Karamchedu of Bapatla district, which recorded 15 cm. Amaravati recorded 14 cm, while Avanigadda of Krishna district received 13 cm. Bapatla, Guntur, Atchampeta, Gudivada, and Piduguralla also recorded more than 10 cm during the 24-hour period. While rain pounded Vijayawada all night, there is conflicting information about the amount of rainfall received by the city. While the IMD puts the number at 30 mm, the district administration has put the number at 90 mm. According to the district information, Ibrahimpatnam received 142.8 mm. Many streams in Palnadu, NTR, and Guntur districts were overflowing on Wednesday, causing traffic jams at some places. Fishermen have been cautioned against going into the sea for the next five days, while people in low-lying areas have been asked to be alert. Those living on hill slopes also have to be careful since there is a possibility of rockslides, the IMD said. Meanwhile, the low-pressure area over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha, which was formed on Wednesday early morning, persisted over the same region at 8.30 a.m. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and become well marked during the next 24 hours, according to the IMD. It is likely to move across North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha during the next 48 hours.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Weather may play spoilsport in state
1 2 Ranchi: Independence Day celebrations could be disrupted as the Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning activities in all 24 districts til Sunday. "Isolated places are likely to experience thunderstorms and lightning activities till Sunday due to the ongoing weather conditions. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at a few places on Friday. Many places are likely to experience moderate rain and thundershowers thereafter," said Ranchi IMD head Baburaj P.P. The preparation for the I-Day celebrations started across the state in full swing from Wednesday, with people taking up marches to set the stage for the celebration on Friday. City roads and public spaces have been decorated with vibrant colours, while the security personnel have beefed up their exercise to ensure a peaceful celebration. A student, Shivangi Kumari, said, "We are hoping that the rain does not dampen the enthusiasm of the day. It is a yearly ritual for our family to watch the flag-hoisting ceremony, parade, and cultural programmes. We do not want to miss it this year too." Another college student, Rahul Yadav, said, "My friends and I have planned a much-awaited trip to Patratu for the day. I hope the weather stays clear." Hazaribag on Wednesday received 8.5 mm rain, Jamshedpur 5.4mm, Garhwa 2mm, West Singhbhum 0.5mm, Simdega 0.5mm, and Latehar 11.5 mm, highest in the state. Ranchi recorded 29.3°C maximum temperature, Jamshedpur 31.4°C, Daltonganj 28.6°C, Bokaro 33.5°C, and Chaibasa 33.8°C, and Saraikela 34.5°C, the highest in state. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Monsoon activity set to intensify across UP in next 48 hours: IMD
Lucknow, Monsoon activity is set to intensify across Uttar Pradesh over the next 48 hours driven by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, according to the India Meteorological Department . Monsoon activity set to intensify across UP in next 48 hours: IMD "The weather system has caused the eastern end of the monsoon trough to shift southwards. This is likely to bring widespread light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers, in most parts of the state," the IMD said. The intensity and spread of rainfall are expected to ease from August 15. The IMD has issued an orange alert for several districts in the northern part of the state, including Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur, Sitapur, Bahraich Shravasti, Gonda, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar and Maharajganj The weather office also predicted rain or thundershowers at most places in western Uttar Pradesh and at a few places in the eastern part of the state on Wednesday and Thursday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely at isolated locations. Meanwhile, rainfall on Wednesday brought some relief from the heat with state capital Lucknow recording a maximum temperature of 33.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius with 0.2 mm of rain. Agra received the highest rainfall in the state at 14.4 mm, followed by Orai , Varanasi , and Basti . Uttar Pradesh has received 496.2 mm of rainfall this monsoon season as of August 12, which is 8 per cent above the normal of 459.3 mm. The eastern districts recorded 468.3 mm of rain, 4 per cent below normal, while the western districts received 536.1 mm of rain, 28 per cent above the seasonal average. According to state government officials, 41 tehsils in 21 districts are currently battling with floods, which have affected an estimated population of 1.86 lakh. The government has set up more than 1,100 flood outposts to provide assistance to the affected people, the officials said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
