VIJAYAWADA: The deep depression-induced torrential downpour has dramatically improved Andhra Pradesh’s rainfall situation, with the State receiving 68.64 mm rainfall in just two days (Wednesday and Thursday) against the normal 11.59 mm - an excess of 492.32%.
The torrential downpour has brought 11 of the 28 districts in the State into the normal rainfall category, and sharply reduced the State’s cumulative rainfall deficit from around 50% to 31.15%. From June 1 to September 25, the State received 379 mm rainfall against the normal 550.51 mm, resulting in a cumulative deficit of 31.15%.
The torrential downpour has substantially altered the situation. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, Krishna and Guntur have now moved into the normal rainfall category.
The intensity of the rainfall was particularly evident in North Coastal Andhra. Visakhapatnam recorded 255.08 mm during the two-day period, the highest among the districts. The two-day rainfall resulted in exceptionally high deviations from normal in several districts. Visakhapatnam recorded a deviation of 2,923.60%, Polavaram 2,156.38%, and East Godavari 1,400.65%, while Srikakulam registered 1,173.99%, Vizianagaram 1,109.43% and Alluri Sitarama Raju 1,056.61% respectively.
Despite the significant improvement, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Palnadu and Nellore continue to remain in the deficient rainfall category on a cumulative basis. However, their rainfall deficit has now come down to below 30%.
Rayalaseema rainfall deficit above 40%
The situation continues to be more challenging in Rayalaseema. Except Anantapur, all districts in the region continue to record rainfall deficit of more than 40%. Annamayya remains the only district in the State under the large-deficit category, with a cumulative deficit of 62.09%.
During the two-day spell, Kurnool received 29.97 mm, Nandyal 26.76 mm and Anantapur 17.50 mm. Kadapa recorded 21.37 mm, Tirupati 10.88 mm, Sri Sathya Sai 2.99 mm and Annamayya 3.98 mm respectively.
At the regional level, Coastal Andhra received 107.96 mm rainfall against the normal 12.70 mm, registering an excess of 750.08%. Rayalaseema recorded 14.42 mm against the normal 8.81 mm, receiving a 63.68% excess. Coastal districts have benefited significantly from the torrential downpour.