Cyclone Helen crosses Machlipatnam

Highlights

• Restoration work already in progress; restoring power primary concern for authorities
• Electric poles, trees uprooted in various places along the cyclone's path
• Huge crop loss in Krishna district
• Cyclone Helen crosses Machlipatnam
• Cyclone not to lose it's intensity even after 6 hours of landfall
• Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in different parts of the state in the next 36 hours,
• Eye of the cyclone yet to make contact
• Cyclone makes landfall at Machlipatnam
• Seven, including a Tahisldar die as heavy rains hit coastal AP
• Cyclone Helen approaches coast Near Machlipatnam
• Kurnool, Mahabubnagar also experience heavy rainfall
• People moved out from coastal areas
• Helen has already brought heavy rain and areas around Machlipatnam, Vishakapatnam and Kakinada have been lashed by strong wind.
• Reports indicated that six people, including two women, have lost their lives.
• A red alert has been sounded in Kakinada and surrounding areas. 
• Cyclone is reportedly moving slowly, but is bringing in strong wind. Many trees have been uprooted in cyclone's path in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• The cyclone is located between Narsapur and Machlipatnam. Wind speeds likely to touch 125 kmph, weather office sources said.
• Heavy rains lash Krishna district.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary P K Mohanty this morning and asked the official machinery to be fully geared up to evacuate people from low-lying areas to prevent casualties.
The chief minister spoke to collectors of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts over phone and asked to them open relief camps wherever required and evacuate people to safety. He wanted the district administrations to co-ordinate with National Disaster Response Force, police and other departments in the rescue and relief operations.