Monsoon active in AP, CM concludes ''Mahavaruna yagnam''

Hyderabad, Jul 25 (UNI) The Southwest monsoon was active in Andhra Pradesh today bringing widespread rains, even as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy concluded a three-day ''Mahavaruna Yagnam'' to propitiate the rain God for copious rains and bumper crops during the Kharif season.

Wearing traditional turban and carrying the sacred offerings on his head, Dr Reddy, who emulated the medieval Vijanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya(Circa 1509-1529 CE), concluded the Yagnam by putting the offerings in the ''homa kuntam'' amidst chanting of ''varuna japam'' by hundreds of vedic pandits at the mass prayer for bountiful rains, organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam(TTD) at the exhibition grounds.

Meanwhile, India Meteorology Department officials told UNI that the Southwest monsoon, which was passive in the state after setting in early, had become active, bringing widespread rains in all the three regions of the state.

Numerical weather prediction models continue to suggest southward shift of monsoon trough from tomorrow onwards and subsequently formation of a low pressure area over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal around July 27. Under this scenario, rainfall activity was likely to increase considerably over Central and adjoining Peninsular India during the next 3-4 days.

Widespread rainfall activity was likely over Telangana and costal Andhra Pradesh, the IMD said.

The IMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Rayalaseema days. Hyderabad will experience generally cloudy sky.

Rain or thundershowers are likely in parts of the city.

Meanwhile, two aircraft conducted cloud seeding operations getting directions from two radars located in Hyderabad and Anantapur to induce rains in the rain shadow areas in 12 drought-prone districts, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Weather Modification Technologies Director I V Muralikrishna said.

Rain occurred at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema in the last 24 hours. Isolated rain occurred over Telangana during the period.

UNI SM KVV SW BD1944