Depression brings more rain to flood-hit AP

Hyderabad, Aug 17 (UNI) Adding to the woes of flood-ravaged Andhra Pradesh, struggling to cope with extensive devastation, the South West monsoon has again became active in Telangana and coastal areas as the depression lay centered over neighbouring Chattisgarh today.

Under the influence of the system, which crossed the north Orissa coast near Chandbali last night and lay centred about 100 km off Champa this morning, isolated heavy rain was likely in Khammam, Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad districts in the next 24 hours, Hyderabad Meteorological Centre Director M Satya Kumar told UNI.

A report from Visakhapatnam quoting the Cyclone Warning Centre said strong surface winds from the westerly direction with speed reaching 50 to 55 kmph were likely to blow along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Strong surface winds from the same direction with the speed reaching 45 to 50 kmph were likely along and off south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

Fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea as it would be rough to very rough. Distant cautionary signal number one was hoisted at Visakhapatnam and Machilipatnam port and Section signal number one at Kakinada port, the report added.

Moderate to heavy rain/thundershowers was likely to occur at many places in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari of North Coastal Andhra in the next two days.

Light to moderate rain/thundershowers were likely at a few places over Rayalaseema and in other districts of coastal Andhra and Telangana.

As the system weakened, there would be decrease in rainfall actiity in Telangana, he added.

Venkatapuram had heavy rainfall of 10 cm followed by Eturnagaram 6, Paderu 5, Hakimpet Airport, Asifabad, Sirpur, Bhongir, Komarada, Parvathipuram, Kunavaram and Prakasam Barrage 3 each.

UNI SM AA PR ND1738