August 31, 2024 8:39 PM.
The depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, located off the coasts of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, has moved north-northwest at a speed of 8 kilometres per hour over the past six hours.
As of noon today, it was centred about 50 km south-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 110 km east of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and 160 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha. It is expected to move northwest and make landfall between Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur of Odisha around midnight.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been continuously reviewing the heavy rains and coordinating relief efforts through a series of teleconferences with key officials. To monitor the heavy rains and flood situation and coordinate the rescue and relief operations in the state, a Central Command Control Room has been established.
The Chief Minister has ordered the immediate release of 3 crore rupees to each affected district for relief operations, with 2 crore rupees allocated to districts with lesser impact. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of eight lives due to the heavy rains and has announced 5 lakh rupees in compensation for each affected family.