VISAKHAPATNAM : Several places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh as well as Rayalaseema region experienced heavy to moderate rain under the influence of the trough of low pressure which developed into a low pressure area Saturday. The low pressure area which persisted over west central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal, is likely to trigger more rains over the next 48 hours in the state.
Meanwhile, A shepherd died after lightning struck him during the heavy rain in Padugudi village of Bhamini mandal in Srikakulam district Saturday evening. The victim, Gavudu Mohan (50), was tending the sheep on the banks of the Vamsadhara river when the lightning struck, killing him on the spot.
The Indian Meteorological department has warned of heavy rain at isolated places in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore of Coastal Andhra Pradesh as well as in the districts of Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool of Rayalaseema over the next 48 hours. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue for an additional three days across Andhra Pradesh excluding Rayalaseema region.
Many rural areas of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East and West Godavari districts witnessed rain all through the day in brief but strong spells. In Andhra Pradesh, the highest rainfall of 8 cm was registered at Bhimavaram in West Godavari district and Seethanagaram in Vizianagaram district followed by Bobbili with 7 cm during the past 24 hours. Visakhapatnam received a rainfall of 5 cm.
The officials of the Cyclone Warning Centre here attributed the rains to the low pressure area over west central Bay Of Bengal and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation over west central Bay Of Bengal now extends up to 7.6 km above the mean sea level tilting southwest wards with height. In addition, a trough of low pressure on surface level runs from system to south Tamil Nadu along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh. With the monsoon being active over coastal Andhra Pradesh, the authorities expect more rains in the region over the next 48 hours. The CWC said that conditions were favourable for the low pressure to strengthen and it may be well marked. However, rains are expected to be heavy in the next 24 hours over coastal AP.