The Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts of Andhra Pradesh over the next four days due to the impact of a low-pressure system. In response, the state government has issued an alert. The state has recently experienced severe flooding in areas such as Vijayawada and Guntur, prompting the coalition government to take precautionary measures.
Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu made key remarks regarding the situation: “Chief Minister Chandrababu has instructed us to ensure that the heavy rains do not cause further disruptions. We are continuously monitoring the inflows into reservoirs. Somashila Reservoir is receiving unprecedented inflows. We are prepared.”
The minister also explained that preemptive actions are being taken to prevent breaches in tanks, streams, and reservoirs. He noted that flash floods have become more common in recent times, but efforts are being made to minimize their impact. Inflows into streams in districts such as Prakasam, Chittoor, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool, and Kadapa are being closely monitored, with measures in place to protect the catchment areas. “Heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours, and we are conducting continuous surveillance with the support of RTGS,” he added.
Aiming for a Drought-Free State
The minister also mentioned the challenges in filling some reservoirs: “The state has suffered from inadequate water storage over the past five years. We have struggled to fill the reservoirs in the Penna basin due to the poor irrigation system left by the previous administration. However, we are making efforts to fill the reservoirs even in these adverse conditions. Andhra Pradesh’s reservoirs have a total capacity of 760 TMC, and we have managed to store 680 TMC so far. Our goal is to make the state drought-free by capturing rain and floodwaters effectively.”
Additionally, officials have warned fishermen against venturing out to sea due to rough conditions. Farmers, agricultural laborers, and cattle herders have also been advised to avoid staying under trees, near poles, or in open areas due to the risk of lightning. Authorities have further cautioned against visiting tourist spots during this period.