Cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal during the month of May. While 75 percent of these storms head towards Bangladesh without posing much threat to the Indian coastline, one-fourth of them head for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast, battering them with flooding rain.
The newly formed cyclone Roanu is the perfect example of this. The storm began with Tamil Nadu giving heavy rain over Chennai and many parts of Kerala. Now, it has intensified into a cyclone and is heading towards Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Take a look at three worst storms since 1990 that have pounded inches of rain over the Andhra Pradesh coastline.
Andhra Cyclone of 1990
The Andhra Cyclone which hit in the year 1990 was the worst cyclone that the state has witnessed since the year 1977. The all-time 24-hour rainfall records for most cities in Andhra Pradesh can be attributed to this cyclone. During that time, cyclones were not given any name which is why it is referred to as the AP Cyclone 1990. The cyclone also intensified and became a super cyclone.
During this time, extremely heavy rain was witnessed over many cities of Andhra Pradesh, which also happens to be the highest ever. For instance, on May 10, 1990, Visakhapatnam recorded a whopping 102.6 mm of rain, Kakinada 267.5 mm, and Vijayawada 210 mm.
Cyclone Laila, May 2010
After a lull period of 20 years, the much in news Cyclone Laila battered the Andhra Coast around May 20, 2010. The system had made landfall over Bapatla resulting in very heavy rain over several cities.
While the rains were not as intense as the 1990 cyclone, the storm had wreaked havoc over Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the last 10-years rainfall record has been attributed to Cyclone Laila itself. The cyclone had also intensified into a severe cyclonic storm as well.
Cyclone Roanu, 2016
After six years, a cyclonic storm named Roanu has formed in the Bay of Bengal. The system has been a slow moving one and has given heavy rain over Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and several areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many areas recorded rainfall in three digits in a span of 24 hours. The system also resulted in good rains over Bangalore.
The system concentrated into a cyclone during the early morning hours and is currently very close to the Andhra Coast. The storm has given very heavy rains over Andhra Pradesh during the last 24 hours. While Kakinada recorded a whopping 174 mm rain, Bapatla and Narsapur received 134 mm and 105 mm rain, respectively.
While the cyclone will not make landfall over the Indian coast because of its orientation but Coastal Andhra Pradesh is within the inner peripherals of the storm. Thus, the area is vulnerable to extremely heavy rain and high-velocity winds.
The next 24 hours are very crucial for Andhra Pradesh and flooding rain is possible over many areas. A few rain records could also be broken.
Image Credit: wikipedia.org; CIMSS
Please Note: Any information picked from here should be attributed to skymetweather.com
