AP Remains On Alert As Cyclone Helen Intensifies

The Andhra Pradesh government has intensified rescue and relief operations in 4 of the coastal districts - Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur - in view of the cyclone Helen, that hit the state yesterday.

According to the latest update on the Meteorology department's bulletin, the cyclone Helen, that passed over the west-central Bay of Bengal, moved slightly west-north westwards, and lay centred at 2:30am on Thursday near east-northeast of Chennai, 390 km east of Kavali, 270 km east-southeast of Machillipatnam and 250 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam.

"The system will further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hrs. It will move west-northwestwards slowly for some time, then west-southwestward and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machillipatnam, close to Ongole around Friday afternoon," the Met Dept said.

As many as 6 NDRF teams have been pressed into service, for relief operations.

One team each has been deployed in Kavali, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts.

The teams from the State Disaster Response Force have also been rushed to the places.

Fishermen have been instructed over cell phones to avoid venturing into sea.

The Civil Supplies Department has reserved the stocks of essential commodities. The medical and health department officials have also been kept on alert, with arrangements for adequate stocks of medicines and paramedical staff being made.

Since a majority of causalities were reported in the recent cyclone Phailin, and many incidents of wall collapse were reported, the Municipal officials have evacuated people living in dilapidated buildings.

Also, helicopters have been put on standby to rescue trapped people, if required.

A round-the-clock control room started functioning at the State Secretariat.

Telephone numbers that can be used to reach them: (040) 23456005 and (040) 23451043.

Control rooms at district, division and mandal levels have been opened in Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur districts.

The District Collectors have also been instructed to take all precautionary measures, to ensure that people in low-lying areas are evacuated to safer places and also to ensure "zero casualties". (INN)