Cyclone Helen approaches India southern coast

Risingbd Desk, NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Cyclonic storm Helen is heading to hit Andhra Pradesh coast later in the day while several parts of the region started receiving heavy rains under its impact.

An alert has been sounded in the coastal districts, while authorities are taking precautionary measures including evacuation of people from low-lying area to minimise the damage from the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the severe cyclonic storm will cross the coast near Machillipatnam around Friday afternoon.

The IMD has issued a cyclone warning to Andhra Pradesh coast.

The IMD’s bulletin early Friday said Helen over west central Bay of Bengal moved slightly west-northwestwards and lay centred at about 120 km east of Machillipatnam, 250 km east-northeast of Ongole and 200 km south-southwest of Vishakhapatnam.

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

Heavy rains accompanied by strong gales are 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 (25 cm or more) are also likely.

Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would occur over remaining districts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalseema and Telangana on Friday and Saturday.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off south Andhra coast. The wind speed would gradually increase up to gale wind speed of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph at the time of landfall.

The IMD has warned that storm surge of about 1 to 1.5 m height would inundate the low lying areas of west and east Godavari Krishna, Guntur and adjoining areas of Prakasham district at the time of landfall.

Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off south Andhra coast. Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts and minor damage to power and communication lines was expected due to uprooting of trees.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The authorities have hoisted warning signals at all ports along Andhra coast.

risingbd/MAM