Visakhapatnam, October 16, 2025
As Cyclone Tejal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, relentless heavy rains lashed coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, unleashing flash floods, uprooting trees, and disrupting power supplies across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Visakhapatnam and adjoining areas, warning of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm in the next 24 hours, accompanied by winds gusting up to 90 kmph.
The cyclone, which formed from a low-pressure system earlier this week, is tracking northwestward and is expected to make landfall near Visakhapatnam by early Friday morning, according to the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam. "This is a rapidly developing system, and residents in low-lying areas must evacuate immediately to avoid storm surges of up to 2 meters," said IMD Director Dr. R.K. Jenamani in a press briefing. The alert covers eight districts, including Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Kakinada, and East Godavari, where similar weather patterns have already caused chaos.
In Visakhapatnam, the port city and economic hub, emergency services have swung into action, evacuating over 15,000 people from vulnerable coastal neighborhoods like Bheemunipatnam and Rushikonda Beach areas. "We are moving families to 150 relief camps set up in schools and community halls. No one will be left behind," assured District Collector Lavu Krishna Deva, who coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed from Vijayawada. Reports indicate that several roads, including the critical NH-16 stretch near the port, are submerged under knee-deep water, stranding hundreds of vehicles and halting cargo operations at one of India's busiest ports.
The downpour, which began intensifying around midnight, has thrown normal life out of gear. Low-lying areas in the city witnessed urban flooding, with residents wading through waist-high water to reach higher ground. Power outages affected over 50,000 households as gale-force winds snapped electricity lines and felled dozens of trees, blocking major thoroughfares like the Beach Road and MVP Colony. Schools and colleges in the affected districts have been shut, while trains on the Howrah-Chennai main line face delays, with over 20 services diverted or terminated.
Tragedy struck early in the morning when two elderly residents in Vizianagaram district were swept away by flash floods while attempting to cross a swollen stream, marking the first casualties linked to the storm. Rescue operations are ongoing, with the State Disaster Management Authority reporting minor injuries to 12 others from fallen debris. "The rains are unprecedented for this time of year, reminiscent of Cyclone Hudhud's fury a decade ago, but our preparedness has improved," noted a senior NDRF official, referencing the 2014 disaster that devastated Visakhapatnam.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, addressing the crisis from Amaravati, announced an immediate relief package of ₹500 crore for the affected districts. "Our government is on high alert. Helicopters are on standby for aerial surveys and supply drops if needed," he said via video conference, urging people to heed IMD warnings and avoid unnecessary travel. The central government has also mobilized additional resources, including satellite imagery from ISRO to track the cyclone's path.
As the storm's outer bands continue to pummel the coast, forecasts predict a slight weakening post-landfall, but residual heavy showers could persist into the weekend, raising concerns over crop damage in rice and cashew plantations. Fishermen have been advised to stay offshore, with over 500 boats secured in harbors. Environmental activists, meanwhile, are calling for better mangrove restoration along the coast to mitigate future impacts, highlighting how urban encroachment has exacerbated flooding.
Residents like fisherman Raju Naidu from Visakhapatnam's fishing harbor shared their ordeal: "The sea is roaring like never before. We've lost nets and gear already, but safety comes first." With the cyclone's eye approaching, authorities are bracing for the worst, hoping lessons from past storms will minimize the toll on this resilient coastal belt. Updates will follow as the situation evolves.
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