After June surplus, Andhra Pradesh to get above-normal rain in July

A flooded road in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. (PTI file Photo)

Andhra Pradesh, which got 62 percent surplus rain in June, is expected to receive above-normal rainfall in July, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

In June, the state received 152.1 mm of rainfall, way ahead of the normal 94.1 mm. Except districts such as Parvatipuram-Manyam and Prakasam, which got normal rain, the rest of Andhra experienced either excess or “large excess” rainfall.

Senior scientist with IMD’s Amaravati branch S Karunasagar said, "Rayalaseema can expect normal-to-above-normal rainfall, while coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive above-normal rainfall."

On July 1, maximum temperatures across many places hovered around 34 to 35°C due to prevailing lower tropospheric South-westerly/Westerly winds over the state and Yanam. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are predicted at isolated places in the state over the next four days.

R Kurmanath, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority, cautioned residents as light-to-moderate rains are expected in several districts on July 2, followed by moderate-to-heavy rains over the next two days in some districts. He advised people in low-lying areas to be cautious and urged farmers and labourers to remain cautious due to the possibility of thunderstorms.

July is expected to provide good rainfall to several parts of the state, the weather forecaster said. In many regions, the kharif season would benefit from the recent rains, farmers have said.

Over 60 percent of the farms in Andhra rely on rain during the kharif season, with over 90 lakh acres under cultivation in the state.

(with agency inputs)