VISHAKHAPATNAM: Southwest monsoon this year has finally covered entire Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, 17 days after its expected due date. The normal date for monsoon onset over AP is June 4.
IMD, Amaravati, has predicted respite for state from the scorching heat in the coming days, forecasting that many parts of AP will witness rainfall activity.
As per the IMD, southwest monsoon has on Thursday further advanced into some parts of Telangana, remaining parts of Andhra Pradesh, some parts of Odisha, remaining parts of west central Bay of Bengal and some more parts northwest Bay of Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar.
Last year, the monsoon arrived in Andhra Pradesh on June 13 and covered the entire state on June 20. In 2021, it arrived on June 5 and took over seven days to spread across the state.
Scientist at Amaravati IMD Dr. S. Karunasagar said heavy rain is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Yanam on Friday. Thunderstorms, accompanied with lightning and gusty winds with a speed of 40–50 kmph, are likely at isolated places over CAP and Rayalaseema.
Strong winds with a speed of 30–40 kmph are likely over CAP and Rayalaseema on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Dr. Karunasagar observed that Andhra Pradesh is set to receive normal rainfall this monsoon season despite the El Nino phenomenon. As of now, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed deficient showers in June. The state is most likely to witness heavy rainfall after June 25.
During the last 24 hours, Chodavaram in Anakapalli district received 53.4 mm of rainfall, followed by 53.0 mm at Sattenapalli in Palnadu district and 48.8 mm at Yerragondapalem in Prakasam district.
