Depression likely to weaken, more rains predicted

Visakhapatnam, Aug 11 (UNI) The depression over Northwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Orissa Coast moved inland and lay centred over North Interior of the State close to Keonjhar.

It is likely to move in a North-Westerly direction and weaken gradually, according to a weather bulletin.

The bulletin issued by the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) here said under its influence rain or thundershowers were like at a few places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

Strong surface winds with speeds touching 45 to 55 kmph are likely along and off the Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours. Fishermen were advised against venturing into the sea.

The chief amounts of rainfall (in cm) in the last 24 hours ending 0830 hrs are Nuzvid (17), Tiruvur (13), Eluru and Paleru Bridge (12) each, Prakasham Barrage, Koyaalagudem, Amalapuram, Nandigama and Chintalapuri (11 each), Tanuku (10) Bhimavaram, Guntur and Kaikalur (9 each), Mangalapuri, Tadepalligudem, Atchampet, Piduguralla, Tenali, Bhimadole, Koderu, Pathapatnam (8 each), Vijayawada, Vijayawada Airport, Palasa and Gudivada (7 each).

A report from Vijayawada said the Irrigation Department issued the first flood warning early today to people living downstream of the Prakasam Barrage after inflow crossed 3,97 lakh cusecs.

As much as 4.01 lakh cusecs of flood water was discharged into the Bay of Bengal till 0600 hrs today.

Following heavy rainfall since the last two days, rivulets downstream of the barrage in Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda and Guntur Districts were in spate.

The water level at the barrage stood at 12.1 ft and all the 70 crest gates were fully lifted to allow water into the sea.

Meanwhile, authorities were taking necessary measures to shift the people living on the banks of River Krishna to safer places.

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