Bay of Bengal Weather System Brings Hope for Rain in Drought-Hit Andhra Pradesh

VISAKHAPATNAM: Amid continuing dry weather and declining water levels in reservoirs and groundwater sources, farmers and the public across Andhra Pradesh are hoping that the developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal will bring much-needed rainfall to the State. The low-pressure area over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards, and lay over the region as of 5.30 am on Sunday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to intensify into a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal on September 21, and further into a deep depression over the west-central Bay on September 22. The system is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and reach the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, near the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts, around the morning of September 23. The developing system has raised hopes of rainfall at a time when several parts of the State are experiencing dry conditions. Farmers, particularly those dependent on seasonal rainfall, are looking towards the system for relief as inadequate rains have affected agricultural activities and water availability. However, the actual rainfall distribution and intensity will depend on the system’s further movement and development, with the IMD continuing to monitor it. The weather system is also expected to bring rough sea conditions. Squally winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely over the Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal.