Dasara celebrations: Rain likely to play spoilsport in Vijayawada

While the cloudy and pleasant weather in Vijayawada is currently providing relief to devotees visiting the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Warla Devasthanam for Dasara festivities, the conditions are likely to worsen as heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the city on September 26 and 27.

In 2024 and 2023, a hot and sultry weather greeted the devotees in Vijayawada. Buttermilk packets were being distributed to the devotees while they were waiting in queue lines. However, this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, has given a heavy rain forecast for the State, thanks to a fresh low-pressure area that is likely to form on September 25.

According to the IMD, an upper air cyclonic circulation has formed over coastal areas of central Myanmar and east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday morning. It is likely to move westwards gradually, and under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over north and central Bay of Bengal on September 25.

Moving westwards, it is very likely to concentrate into a depression over northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh on September 26. It is very likely to cross South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts around September 27.

S. Karunasagar, senior scientist, IMD-Amaravati, said that the rainfall activity is likely to be concentrated in the central parts of the State, which include the districts of East and West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Bapatla. “While Tirumala-Tirupati may not see much impact, rain may be a dampener on Dasara festivities in Vijayawada,” Mr. Karunasagar said.

According to the forecast, while light to moderate showers are likely across the three regions of North and South Coastal A.P. and Rayalaseema for five days from September 25 to 29, very heavy rainfall is likely in a few parts in North and South Coastal A.P. on September 26 and 27. Thunderstorms, accompanied with lightning and strong winds, are also likely across the State.

On Wednesday, the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, NTR, Kurnool, Anantapur, Eluru, among others, received light showers.

In view of the forecast and ongoing Dasara festivities, A.P. State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain has called for a stringent monitoring system at all river ghats. Temple authorities, police personnel and municipal authorities have been asked to set up barricades and warning boards and make announcements to alert devotees about the water level.

Meanwhile, the first warning continued to be in force at Prakasam Barrage, where the inflows are expected to touch 5 lakh cusecs on Thursday.