Heavy rain alert for North Coastal Andhra as southwest monsoon intensifies

Amaravati, June 23, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for North Coastal Andhra, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours due to an intensifying southwest monsoon. A low-pressure system in the southwest Bay of Bengal, now a deep depression, is moving toward the North Tamil Nadu and South Coastal Andhra shores, likely to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by June 24. Districts including Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, and Alluri Sitharama Raju are expected to face heavy rainfall, with winds up to 55 km/h along the coast. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported moderate rainfall across 19 districts on Monday, with Vijayanagaram recording 6 cm of rain. The IMD has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea due to turbulent conditions. Farmers in low-lying areas are urged to protect crops, as recent rains have already disrupted harvests. The state government has mobilized local authorities to monitor flood-prone zones, with schools and colleges in affected districts likely to remain closed. This weather event underscores Andhra Pradesh’s vulnerability to monsoon-driven disruptions, a local concern with national and global implications as climate patterns intensify.