Cyclone Helen to cross Andhra Pradesh Thursday night; massive evacuation in 4 districts

Chennai: The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal would intensify into a cyclonic storm and cross the coast between Chennai and Ongole Thursday night, the Indian Meteorological Department said here on Wednesday.

Cyclone 'Helen' would cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Kavali on the night of November 21, the IMD said. The deep depression over west-central Bay of Bengal would intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next few hours and to a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, it said.

Massive evacuation has been undertaken in four districts of Andhra Pradesh before the severe cyclone hits the eastern coast on Thursday followed by very heavy rainfall.

Moving west­northwestwards for some time and then west­southwestwards, the cyclone would cross south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts between Chennai and Ongole close to Kavali around the night of November 21, the IMD said.

IMD further warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh from Wednesday onwards.

Squally winds with speed of 55­65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, it said, adding sea conditions would be very high along and off Andhra Pradesh coast. 

The National Disaster Management Authority has asked for zero casualty preparedness from the state government.

"We have asked the state government to ensure zero casualty. They have already started evacuating people living along the coastline to safer places," NDMA Vice Chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy told PTI.

There are around 350 cycle shelters in Andhra Pradesh and all of them will be used to lodge people to be affected by the cycle. Some of the 137 under construction cyclone shelter will also be used for the purpose.

Reddy has spoken to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and other state government officials and asked them to be ready with some plan on the restoration of essential communication post cyclone phase. District Collectors were instructed to take all precautionary measures and ensure zero casualty by evacuating people from low lying areas.

Major districts to be hit are Nellore, Prakashan, Guntur and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh.

Warnings have already been issued to fishermen in the area to stay away from sea until the cyclone settles down completely.

Next: NDFC gears up to tackle cyclone 'Helen' in AP

NDFC gears up to tackle cyclone 'Helen' in AP 

Hyderabad: Six teams of National Disaster Response Force are being deployed in four coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh as cyclonic storm 'Helen' is expected to cross the Bay of Bengal coast near Kavali Thursday evening.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall up to 25 cms is expected in Nellore and Prakasam districts while heavy rainfall is likely in Guntur and Krishna districts of south coastal AP, according to state Disaster Management Commissioner C. Parthasarathy.

"The deep depression in Bay of Bengal last evening turned into a cyclonic storm this morning. It is expected to cross the coast near Kavali between Sriharikota and Ongole tomorrow evening. Under the impact, heavy rains are likely from this evening," Parthasarathy told reporters on Wednesday.

The impact would be mainly in Nellore and Prakasam districts while adjoining Guntur and Krishna too would experience heavy rainfall. While wind speed would range between 55 and 65 kmph on Wednesday, it may increase to 100 and 120 kmph on Thursday, the Commissioner said.

"We are deploying two NDRF teams each in Nellore and Prakasam districts and one each in Guntur and Krishna to handle rescue and relief operations. We are also deploying fire services personnel in Nellore and Prakasam to assist police and other departments. Our target is to ensure zero casualties and also prevent destruction of properties," he added.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea. Joint Collectors of the four districts have been directed to camp in vulnerable coastal villages and closely monitor the situation. Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty spoke to Collectors of the four coastal districts and asked them to remain alert, the Commissioner said.