Visakhapatnam: A depression that formed over the south-east Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression after moving southwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
The system is moving west-northwest and is expected to become a cyclone over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning, and a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. It is likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm, to be named Arnab, and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast by Wednesday morning. It is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy rainfall forecast
Murthy, Director of the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam, said extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected across the state during this period.
On October 27, rainfall exceeding 20 cm is likely in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Anakapalli, Guntur, Prakasam, Bapatla and Nellore districts may receive less than 20 cm.
On October 28, when the very severe cyclonic storm crosses the coast, violent winds with speeds of up to 140 km/h are expected. Rainfall exceeding 20 cm is forecast in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts, while the remaining districts are likely to receive 12 to 20 cm. On Monday, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
Coastal damage already reported
Under the influence of the depression, high waves battered the Uppada and Konapapapeta coast in U. Kothapalli mandal of Kakinada district on Saturday night. Coastal erosion was reported in the villages of Uppada, Jaggarajupeta, Suradapeta, Mayapatnam and Konapapapeta, and several large trees were uprooted.