Cyclone Helen lashed coastal Andhra Pradesh

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Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed coastal Andhra Pradesh as cyclonic storm Helen hit the coast near Machilipatnam on Friday afternoon.

 

HYDERABAD:: A severe cyclonic storm swirling over Bay of Bengal has moved into India’s southern Andhra Pradesh state. It is forecasted to make landfall late on Friday with wind speeds up to 120 kilometres per hour.

“Slowly it will move in the western-northwestern direction for some time and after some time it will move towards west-southwestern direction and it will cross by tomorrow evening near Machilipatnam.” said local authorities

Cyclone Helen is the second tropical storm to hit the state in six weeks. It is likely to cause extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts and disrupt power and communication lines.

“Visakhapatnam and surrounding districts will experience heavy rainfall and heavy winds ..…… it will experience (sic). And next, coming from today night onwards, it will continue upto crossing. At the time of crossing, the wind speed might be more.”

Sea conditions are likely to become rough to very rough along and off central parts of the coasts after daybreak.

It would move west-northwestwards for some time, then westward and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machillipatnam.

Heavy rain, accompanied by strong gales, is lashing Krishna, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari and some other parts of the coastal region since early Friday. Authorities have declared holiday for educational institutions.

Under the influence of cyclone, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places would occur over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari districts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 48 hours. Isolated extremely heavy falls (25cm or more) are also likely.

A hundred thousand residents were being evacuated from coastal areas.