Visakhapatnam faces 58% rainfall deficit, straining water reserves

High tide surges along the Visakhapatnam coast as dark clouds gather over the city on Saturday. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK VISAKHAPATNAMDespite frequent overcast skies and persistent coastal humidity, Visakhapatnam district continues to face severe moisture stress, emerging as one of the driest regions in Andhra Pradesh this monsoon season of 2026.Official data retrieved from the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Information and Management System (APWRIMS) revealed that Visakhapatnam recorded a severe rainfall deficit of 58%, making it one of the most rainfall-deficient regions.According to data, the district received just 199.69 mm of cumulative rainfall between June 1 and September 11, against the normal expected benchmark of 479.49 mm. The shortfall was most severe in July, when precipitation plummeted by 79% below normal (29.21 mm against 139.78 mm), triggering groundwater depletion and stress on local water reserves.August brought no relief to the district, which recorded a 48% rainfall deficit. The district received just 92.39 mm of rain against the normal 177.29 mm. Following July’s severe 79% shortfall, the persistent dry spell has exacerbated groundwater depletion and strained municipal reservoir levels across the region.Visakhapatnam’s dry spell persisted into early September, recording a 55% rainfall deficit from September 1 to 11. The district received just 24.03 mm against the normal 53.26 mm. This continued shortfall pushes the seasonal deficit to 58%, further depleting regional groundwater reserves.The severe deficit has also affected the local hydrological reserves. Ground monitoring records from government agencies indicate that average groundwater levels across the coastal belt have plunged significantly compared to the corresponding period last year.Agrarian activities in suburban mandals have witnessed delays, while urban water authorities are keeping a close watch on reservoir inflows that feed the city’s drinking and industrial water pipelines.Meteorologists attribute the prolonged dry spell to the lingering El Niño effect and unfavorable atmospheric conditions that prevented rain-bearing systems from concentrating over North Coastal Andhra.While a low-pressure system currently active over the Bay of Bengal promises a spell of moderate to heavy thunder-showers over the coming days, weather officials emphasize that a prolonged, heavy downpour is urgently required for Visakhapatnam to recover from one of its most dismal monsoon performances in recent years. Published - September 12, 2026 08:47 pm IST