Visakhapatnam: After a prolonged dry spell and a 90 per cent deficient rainfall in the month of October, residents of Andhra Pradesh can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts widespread rainfall in certain regions of the state.
The Rayalaseema region, in particular, is expected to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday, November 4, with the possibility of rain continuing until November 7. Parts of north-coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), south-coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP), and Rayalaseema regions are also expected to see light to moderate rainfall during this period.
In the past week, rain had already made its presence felt in the state, with rainfall occurring at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and at one or two places over Rayalaseema on Thursday and Friday.
Karuna Sagar, a scientist at IMD-Amaravati, explained that the lower tropospheric easterly winds currently prevail over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, and these winds are likely to bring rains to various parts of the state for the next three to four days. However, he added that the rainfall activity may start to decrease after November 7.
The IMD's latest forecast suggests that few parts of the Sri Sathya Sai, Annamayya Chittoor, and Tirupati districts of the Rayalaseema region will receive heavy rains on Saturday. In addition to the rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are expected at many places in coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region until November 7.
This anticipated spell of rain comes as a welcome relief for the state's residents, especially farmers, who have been grappling with the adverse effects of deficient rainfall. Paddy and other crops in some parts of Andhra Pradesh have been withering, creating concern among the agricultural community. With the return of the monsoon rains, hopes are high for a significant improvement in the state's water resources and agricultural conditions.
