HYDERABAD: A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has strengthened and could develop into Cyclone Arnab, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The system has brought a sudden cooling to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where skies have turned heavily overcast after several days of hot, sunny weather. Officials said both states are likely to see rain over the next 48 hours.
The impact is expected to be strongest in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate rain, with thunderstorms and heavy falls in places, is forecast for Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. Winds of 45 to 55 km/h are likely along the coast. In Rayalaseema, Chittoor, Tirupati, YSR Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool districts are expected to stay cloudy with moderate rain in isolated places.
The State Disaster Management Authority has warned fishermen not to venture into the sea under any circumstances, as conditions are expected to turn rough. Those already at sea have been told to return to shore immediately.
Telangana will feel a milder effect. Isolated light to moderate rain with thunder is possible in the southern and eastern districts of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Nalgonda, Suryapet and Mahabubabad. In Hyderabad and surrounding areas, skies are likely to be partly cloudy during the day, with brief showers and cool, gusty winds in the evening or at night.
The state administration has been placed on alert. District collectors have directed officials to keep residents of low-lying areas informed, and special control rooms have been set up in coastal mandals. Electricity, revenue and municipal departments have been told to stay prepared in case trees and power poles come down in heavy rain.