Published Sep 23, 2026 | 10:09 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2026 | 10:09 PM
RTGS officials are monitoring weather patterns and ground-level conditions across districts from the Command and Control Centre.
Synopsis: Authorities have advised the public to remain alert for the next 48 hours, as heavy rainfall is likely to continue even after the system makes landfall. For emergency relief and rescue operations, authorities have deployed five SDRF and four NDRF teams across vulnerable districts: three in Srikakulam, two in Alluri Sitharama Raju, two in Visakhapatnam, one in Polavaram, and one in Anakapalli.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) announced that a deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved westward at 13 kmph over the past six hours.
It is currently centred 30 km from Kalingapatnam, 90 km from Visakhapatnam, and 160 km from Gopalpur. It is expected to make landfall near Kalingapatnam—between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur along the north coast of Andhra Pradesh and the south coast of Odisha—between 11:00 pm and midnight on Wednesday, 23 September.
Authorities have advised the public to remain alert for the next 48 hours, as heavy rainfall is likely to continue even after the system makes landfall. For emergency relief and rescue operations, authorities have deployed five SDRF and four NDRF teams across vulnerable districts: three in Srikakulam, two in Alluri Sitharama Raju, two in Visakhapatnam, one in Polavaram, and one in Anakapalli.
Amid the heavy downpour, the disaster management department urged residents to contact the state control room toll-free numbers (112, 1070, and 1800 4250101) for official updates. It cautioned against believing rumours circulated on social media.
SDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said isolated heavy rainfall is expected on Thursday, 24 September, in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Kakinada districts.
Moderate rainfall is likely in Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, and Palnadu districts. In contrast, Markapuram, Prakasam, and Nellore districts may see light to moderate showers.
In view of the storm warnings, Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) officials are monitoring evolving weather patterns and ground-level conditions across districts from the RTGS Command and Control Centre. The AWARE (All Weather Alert & Real-Time Evaluation) wing is tracking the depression’s movement in real time and relaying actionable updates directly to the affected districts. Local administrations are being alerted with precise data on high-impact zones, reservoir levels, and projected catchment inflows.
With indications pointing to landfall near Kalingapatnam, administrations in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, and Anakapalli districts have been placed on heightened alert. Specific areas in Srikakulam vulnerable to flash floods have been mapped, and local officials have been notified in advance.
The AWARE division is dispatching real-time SMS alerts and advisories directly to citizens’ mobile phones regarding the storm’s trajectory and expected impacts. In addition, the department is continuously transmitting critical weather briefings and rain advisories to departmental heads, field rescue personnel, and staff at ward and village secretariats.
RTGS officials stated that citizens can track live weather updates and storm movements on their mobile devices through the RTGS AWARE website and mobile application. Residents can monitor localised weather changes, rainfall intensity, and overall storm impact by visiting the AWARE portal or downloading the app.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rain for Telangana for two more days, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Wednesday, 23 September, directed Collectors of several districts to stay on high alert.
The Minister asked officials to pay special attention to Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal, and Hanumakonda districts, and to undertake precautionary relief measures ahead of the spell.
The directive follows the IMD’s red alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall for five districts on Thursday, 24 September: Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, and Bhadradri Kothagudem.
Eight more districts, including Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam, are under an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain. A yellow alert for moderate to heavy rain covers Nirmal, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet, Jangoan, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Suryapet, and Nalgonda, while Hyderabad and the remaining western districts are likely to see only light to moderate showers.
Telangana State Development Planning Society (TGDPS) forecasts that the intense spells are expected to persist through Friday before easing by 26 September.
TGDPS predicts comparatively subdued rainfall over Hyderabad’s Urban Core, with the outlook clearing further by 26 September.
Ponguleti directed Collectors to continuously monitor low-lying areas, streams, tanks, and flood-prone zones, and to keep officials ready to move residents to safer locations wherever required.
The Minister appealed to the public not to step out unless necessary, and to stay away from streams, tanks, and flood-affected stretches until the spell passes.
District officials have been instructed to set up round-the-clock control rooms with a toll-free helpline to ensure residents receive immediate assistance.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
