Two killed as ‘Helen’ cyclone hits AP coast

Hyderabad, Nov 22 : Two persons were killed as the cyclone “Helen” hit the Machilipatnam coast here on Friday.

While one death was reported from Kruthvennu due to tree fall, another person died due to fall of electric pole in Machilipatnam in Krishna district.

According to the Met Department, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Helen’ over west-central Bay of Bengal moved slightly westwards, crossed Andhra Pradesh coast close to south of Machillipatnam between 1.30 PM and 2.30 PM on Friday as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph. It moved westward and lay centred at over coastal Andhra Pradesh close to southwest of Machillipatnam. It would move west-southwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during next six hours.

Meanwhile, one fisherman boat near Nizampatnam in Guntur district which was missing has returned safely at 1 PM. Two out of three boats which were stranded in Kothapalli Light House near Reliance Rig in East Godavari district reached safely with 14 people on board. One boat with seven people is still stranded and the Coast Guard is doing rescue operations

As many as 346 habitations were been identified as vulnerable areas. They include 181 in Krishna, 87 in Prakasam, 39 in Guntur, 32 in East Godavari and 20 habitations in West Godavari district. The authorities have shifted 16,290 people to 73 camps set up five affected districts. While 7,000 people were shifted to 30 camps in Krishna, 2,100 were shifted to seven camps in Guntur, 3,690 to 16 camps in East Godavari, 2,000 to 10 camps in West Godavari and 1500 to 10 camps in Prakasam.

Paddy crops spread across one lakh hectares in West Godavari and 50,000 Ha in Krishna district got damaged.

As many as 10 NDRF teams have been deployed in affected areas while four helicopters are kept ready at Hakimpet in Hyderabad. It is being planned to shift two helicopters, one each to Vijaywada and Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Heavy to very heavy rain has been received in many areas in coastal districts. The highest rainfall of 73 mm was received in Allavaram of East Godavari follwed by Kruthivennu (63.25), Torredu (58), Kakinada Rural (47.75), Thurputallu (47.50), Gadala (44.50), Garisapudi (44), Thallapudi (42.75), Kakinada (40) and Nagalapalle (39.50). INN