Cyclone Helen in Andhra: Disaster teams gear up to tackle cyclone Helen in four districts of AP
India Today Online  Hyderabad, November 21, 2013 | UPDATED 08:36 IST
Fishermen
Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.
Six teams of National Disaster Response Force are being deployed in four coastal districts of south Indian state Andhra Pradesh (AP) 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 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 today, it may increase to 100 and 120 kmph 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.

Guntur may get heavy rainfall as Helen effect

Guntur (Andhra Pradesh): Guntur District is likely to experience heavy rains tonight under the influence of the cyclonic storm Helen, district officials said.

The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Chennai and Ongole tomorrow night, the Indian Meteorological Department has said.

The administration has alerted the tehsildars of six coastal tehsils including Bapatla and Repelle to take steps to evacuate people from low-lying areas if necessary and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.


Odisha likely get rain due to Cyclone Helen

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience rainfall and thundershower as an impact of the cyclonic storm Helen, presently situated around 520km south of Gopalpur.

"The system would further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. It would move west-north-westwards for sometime, then west-south-west ward and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Sriharikota and Ongole, close to Kavali around night of November 21, 2013," a press release issued by the local MeT office said.

Though Cyclone Helen would have less impact in Odisha, some parts may expereince rain and thundershower, weatherman Sudarshan Mishra said.

"Northeasterly surface wind speed 30 to 40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph may prevail along and off south Odisha coast," he said, adding that fishermen of south Odisha coast are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea.

Distant warning signal number two has been hoisted at Paradip and Gopalpur ports, official sources said.


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