AP on alert at ‘Helen’ cyclone nears coast

Hyderabad, Nov 20 : Four coastal districts have been put on alert as the cyclonic storm “Helen” is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Sriharikota and Ongole around night of November 21.

Speaking to media persons at the Secretariat Media point, Disaster Management Commissioner C Parthasarthy said that the Met Department has predicted heavy rainfall and strong winds due to the impact of cyclonic storm. He said the Collectors of Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur districts have been asked to take measures to minimise the damages. A Control Room with numbers 040-23456005 and 23451043 has been set up the State Secretariat and round-the-clock control rooms would also work in districts.

Meanwhile, the Met Department predicted rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh commencing from Wednesday night. Isolated extremely heavy falls (25 CM or more) would occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday and Thursday. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would occur over Rayalseema and adjoining north Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 KMPH gusting to 75 KMPH would prevail along and off south Andhra Pradesh coast commencing from tonight. The wind speed would gradually increase upto gale wind speed of 100-110 KMPH, gusting to 120 KMPH at the time of landfall. Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 KMPH gusting to 75 KMPH would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from tonight.

Storm surge of about 1 to 1.5 Metre height above astronomical tide would inundate the low lying areas of Nellore, Prakasham, Guntur and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall. The sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off Andhra Pradesh coasts from tonight, becoming very high from Thursday evening onwards.

Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts is feared while minor damage might occur to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees and flooding of escape roots.

The State Government has ordered total suspension of fishing operations. The coastal hutment dwellers are being moved to safer place and people in affected areas have been asked to remain indoors. The fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. INN