The meteorological department has forecasted significant rainfall over Andhra Pradesh for the upcoming three days. This precipitation is attributed to a prevailing shear zone positioned around 21°N at an altitude ranging between 4.5 and 7.6km above sea level, inclined towards the south as it ascends. The primary south-westerly and westerly winds in the lower troposphere above Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are anticipated to play a role in generating this heavy rainfall, as stated by IMD Amaravati. Director S. Stella of IMD mentioned that Eluru and ASR districts might encounter substantial rainfall in the next three days, while the southern coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema districts could expect light to moderate showers. Following this period, heavy rainfall is predicted for specific zones in the north coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, the southern coastal regions, and Rayalaseema districts over the subsequent five days. Some areas may also experience strong surface winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h.
In the past 24 hours, Vizianagaram district received the highest amount of rainfall at 22.6mm, trailed by Visakhapatnam district with 9.8mm, and Tuni with 1.3mm. According to the Skymet website, the Tungabhadra (TB) dam in the South Peninsula is expected to reach its full capacity in three days due to continuous heavy inflows from upstream regions. As of Wednesday, the dam held 99 TMC feet of water out of its maximum capacity of 105.78 TMC feet, with an influx of 84,115 cusecs of water. The authorities of the TB dam are releasing 14,791 cusecs of water into the High Level Main Canal (HLMC), Low Level Canal (LLC), and power canals. To manage the active monsoon conditions witnessed in July, several states and sub-divisions have reported an excess of rainfall. The South Peninsula region has encountered a 27% surplus in rainfall between June 1 and June 22. Notably, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have received a surplus of 60% and 74% rainfall, respectively. Kerala, which faced a deficit of over 40% previously, has shown improvement in its water levels.
Due to continuous flooding into the Tungabhadra dam from upstream Hampi and Raichur in Karnataka, additional crest gates of the dam are being raised to divert water towards the downstream Srisailam reservoir. Authorities of the High Level Main Canal are strategizing to fill summer storage tanks to address the drinking water requirements in Anantapur district. Payyavula Keshav has instructed the Rural Water Supply department to make necessary preparations to fill all summer storage tanks in the Uravakonda area, considering the water scarcity experienced last year. The overall water position has shown a deficit of -13% as of July 22. However, it is expected that the margins of excess rainfall observed thus far will diminish due to reduced activity. A significant increase in rainfall is anticipated only with the reinforcement of the monsoon surge along the coast, which may take more than a week. The IMD has forecasted weaker-than-normal monsoon conditions for South Peninsular India.
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