Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Seven Andhra Pradesh Districts
Andhra Pradesh authorities have issued a red alert for seven districts, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds during the next three hours.
Residents in seven districts of Andhra Pradesh have been asked to stay alert as severe weather is expected to develop over the next three hours.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has placed Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR and Krishna districts under a red alert. The warning covers the possibility of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
Strong winds are another concern. Officials said gusty winds could reach speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour in some places. Considering the worsening weather conditions, the earlier orange alert was upgraded to red.
The warning is particularly important for people who work outdoors. Farmers, agricultural labourers and cattle herders have been advised to move to safe places as soon as thunderstorms begin instead of waiting for the weather to settle.
People should also be careful about where they take shelter. Officials have specifically warned against standing under trees or close to electricity poles during lightning. Old or damaged buildings are also not considered safe during severe weather.
Those on the roads should avoid unnecessary travel during the alert period. Sudden downpours can affect visibility within minutes, while strong winds may bring down branches or other objects onto roads.
The weather may not remain the same throughout the three hour period, but authorities have asked residents not to ignore the warning because thunderstorms and lightning can develop quickly.
For now, the advice from officials is simple. Stay indoors or move to a secure building when heavy rain and lightning begin, keep away from exposed areas and wait until the conditions improve before travelling.
