As Cyclone Helen intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, observations show wind speeds of about 100 kmph in the centre and 60 kmph at the periphery of the system. The civic authorities are bracing up to evacuate lakhs of people to safer places away from the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.
The state has positioned several National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in areas likely to be affected including Ongole, Machilipatnam, Bapatla, and Visakhapatnam, where the cyclone is expected to leave its worst impact. Disaster management teams have been deployed in the coastal districts, including Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna. Evacuation from the low-lying areas of the district began from Wednesday night. Fire services personnel have also been stationed to prevent destruction of properties. Round the clock control rooms have been opened at the district, division and mandal levels, in the coastal districts.
The intensity of rain showers will increase over entire southern peninsula after the cyclone makes landfall. For the next two days, coastal Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places. The storm could cause severe damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines. Fishermen are being advised not to venture out into the sea till the storm subsides.
Andhra Pradesh, with a coastline stretching for about 960 km, usually falls prey to cyclones. Guntur followed by Prakasam district recorded the highest number of deaths during Phailin. Even this time Bapatla and Ongole, situated in Guntur and Prakasam districts respectively, will be among the worst affected areas. Several people have been evacuated from the villages of Nellore, which has already been receiving rain since the past few days.
Warned by Cyclone Phailin that caused extensive damage, the state is leaving no stone unturned to battle another cyclonic storm. Helen is presently stationed about 270 km off the coastline and Skymet forecast shows its position at 16°N latitude and 83°E longitude at around 5 pm. As of now, the storm is moving at a slow pace of less than 5 kmph. Peripherals of the storm will start affecting the coast starting Bapatla between Ongole and Machilipatnam, by evening and the centre of the system will cross the coast by the morning of November 22.
picture courtesy- newsyaps
