This Article is From Nov 22, 2013

Cyclone Helen makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh


Nov 22, 2013 19:53 (IST)
Cyclone Helen brings heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh
At least 11,000 people have been evacuated as a severe cyclone slammed into the north-eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh, packing strong winds and torrential rain and killing at least two people, according to officials.
Nov 22, 2013 19:10 (IST)
State Revenue Minister Raghuvira Reddy says six people have been killed by Cyclone Helen's impact
Nov 22, 2013 19:10 (IST)
Cyclone Helen weakened into deep depression at 5.30pm, is now 50 kilometres south-west of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh
Nov 22, 2013 15:44 (IST)
Cyclone impact:

Two deaths have been reported. One person was killed in an accident in Godavari and another person died after a tress fell on him in Machilipatnam.
Power supply in affected areas will be restored by night or tomorrow depending upon the rain and wind
Relief teams are at work clearing fallen trees from roads, etc.

Nov 22, 2013 15:06 (IST)
Cyclone Helen makes landfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh, says official
Cyclone Helen has hit the north-eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh, where local authorities have evacuated nearly 11,000 people.
Nov 22, 2013 13:36 (IST)
Cyclone has made landfall in Machilipatnam and will take one hour to cross the area, a state government official told NDTV. 11,000 people have been evacuated.

Nov 22, 2013 13:00 (IST)
Vice chairman of National Disaster Management Authority, M Shashidhar Reddy, tweeted this info:
Nov 22, 2013 12:59 (IST)
Cyclone Helen nears Andhra Pradesh coast; landfall about to begin. It will take one or two hours to cross the coast of Machilipatnam.

Nov 22, 2013 12:37 (IST)
Situation in Machilipatnam:
  • 11000 people have been evacuated and taken to 24 relief shelters from across coastal Andhra Pradesh
  • While East and West Godavari are the worst affected, Krishna district, Guntur and Ongole are on alert
  • 10 teams of National Disaster Relief Force have been positioned in vulnerable areas
  • Cyclone Helen is expected to make landfall near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh later during the afternoon
  • Two teams of NDRF and additional relief force from the state have been called in to Machilipatnam
  • 42 villages around Machilipatnam have been marked as vulnerable but all the villagers in and around 50 kms of the sea shore are likely to be evacuated
  • The wind speed, which is currently 75kms/hour, and is likely to cross 100 Kms/hr during  the landfall
  • Various roads to Machilipatnam  have been blocked due to fallen trees and power poles

Nov 22, 2013 12:31 (IST)
  • Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy reviewed the 'Helen' cyclone status, preparedness by Administration, rescue, relief operations, evacuation from low lying areas etc.
  • He directed officials to closely monitor the as the severity of the cyclone is on the higher side and asked them to be on high alert to face any eventuality.  
  • He also enquired about evacuation of public from low lying areas, setting up of relief camps, and asked the officials to coordinate with NDRF, police, fire, medical, agriculture departments etc.
  • He also asked officials to take the help of Army, Navy and Air Force, if necessary.
  • He has spoken to the District Collector of East Godavari and Directed CS to send Coast Guard ship with helicopter to rescue 20 fishermen who are reportedly stranded in the sea near Kothapally light house.  The Navy and Coast Guard are engaged in the rescue operation
Nov 22, 2013 12:15 (IST)
Update on Cyclone:
  • Cyclone is 60 km away from Machilipatnam where landfall is expected
  • Cyclone is progressing with the speed of 8 kmph. Wind speed is 100 kmph.
  • Areas affected will be  Guntur, east and west Godavari, and Krishna
  • Landfall expected around 4pm

Nov 22, 2013 12:09 (IST)
Cyclone Helen only 15 Kms away from Machilipatnam

View of sea at Machilipatnam:

Nov 22, 2013 10:11 (IST)
Heavy rains in several parts of Andhra Pradesh: IANS
Nov 22, 2013 08:58 (IST)
Cyclone Helen to hit Andhra Pradesh today
Andhra Pradesh is bracing for severe cyclonic storm, Helen, which is expected to hit the state's coast this afternoon.
Nov 22, 2013 07:08 (IST)
Cyclone Helen photographed by newly-launched satellite Mangalyaan
This is the first image of India captured by the satellite.
Nov 21, 2013 10:06 (IST)
Cyclone Helen likely to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Friday afternoon, massive evacuation underway
 
Nov 21, 2013 09:23 (IST)
IMD update on cyclone:
  • The cyclonic storm 'Helen' is about 460 km east-northeast of Chennai, 390 km east of Kavali, 270 km east-southeast of Machillipatnam and 250 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam.
  • It will further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.
  • It would move west-northwestwards slowly for some time, then west-southwestward and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machillipatnam, close to Ongole tomorrow around afternoonUnder the influence of the cyclone, coastal Andhra will receive rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places.
  • Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would occur over Rayalseema and adjoining north Tamil Nadu on November 22.
  • Moderate rainfall would occur at many places over south Odisha on November 21.
  • Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off south Andhra Pradesh coast. 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 at the time of landfall.
  • Storm surge of about 1 to 1.5m 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.
  • Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off south Andhra Pradesh coasts,  It will be rough to very rough along and off north Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts during the same period.
  • Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts is expected over south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large trees is also expected.
  • Fishermen in South Andhra Pradesh coast and Tamil Nadu have been warned against going out into the sea.
  • People living along the coast have been asked to move to a safer place Coastal hutment dwellers to be moved to safer place.

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