Ray of hope for drought-hit Telangana as low pressure over Bay of Bengal likely to bring heavy rain

With Telangana grappling with a rainfall deficit and mounting concerns over drinking water availability due to the influence of El Niño, a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal has raised hopes of much-needed rain toward the end of October.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rain likely in three districts of the state on October 28, as the system is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The IMD has issued a red alert for Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall likely. For Hyderabad, the current forecast indicates moderate rainfall.

Speaking to The Hindu, Srinivas GNRS, senior meteorologist at the IMD Centre Hyderabad, said the projected crossing point of the system had shifted southwards. While the initial assessment indicated that it would cross the coast between north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, the latest assessment suggests that it is likely to cross between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam. “The system is expected to cross the coast on the evening of October 27, with its effects likely to be felt across Telangana on October 28, particularly in the eastern and northeastern parts of the State,” he added.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanumakonda and Suryapet districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on October 28. A yellow alert has been issued for Mancherial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jangaon, Nalgonda, Siddipet and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts, where heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.

Mr. Srinivas further added that the precise track and intensity of the system would become clearer after it develops into a depression. The impact on Telangana is currently expected to be concentrated on October 28, as the system is likely to move relatively quickly, he said.

The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds at isolated places in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Hanumakonda districts on October 28.

The possibility of rainfall is expected to extend into October 29, with a yellow alert issued for Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Hanumakonda districts, where heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.