Cyclone Helen: Over 3,000 Evacuated In Amalapuram

Minister for Registrations and Stamps Thota Narashiham said that necessary steps have been taken in Amalapuram division in the East Godavari district, to safeguard the public and property that could be affected due to cyclone Helen.

Speaking to media persons at Amalapuram, the minister said that 3,263 people, from 979 families, in 13 mandals in the Amalapuram division were shifted to relief camps, where food and shelter are being provided.

He further said that efforts are being made, by the district administration, to meet any eventuality, by keeping men and material ready and ensuring road clearance.

Heavy losses have reportedly occurred to paddy crops and banana and coconut trees in the division.

He said that the renumeration of losses would be done from Saturday onwards, if normalcy returns in the area.

He added that necessary measures were taken wherever necessary, right from the village level.

Amalapuram MP G V Harsha Kumar said that the general public should cooperate with the administration to deal with the situation, and requested that the oil sector companies in the division participate in the relief works.

In view of the cyclone Helen, the district administration declared a high alert, and cautioned people of the coastal area, and shifted many of them to safer areas.

A holiday has been declared in all the schools in the coastal regions, and the Rachabanda programme in Amalapuram division was cancelled on Friday.

He informed that two teams of 45 members each, of the National Disaster Rescue team, have been made ready at Razole and Amalpuram.

District Collector Neethu Prasad camped at Amalapuram on Friday, and the joint collector, the additional joint collector and the sub-collector of Rampachodavarm, monitored the situation in the coastal villages. (INN)