Cyclone 'Helen': Massive evacuation in four AP districts

Massive evacuation has been undertaken in four districts of Andhra Pradesh before a severe cyclone hits the eastern coast on Thursday followed by very heavy rainfall.

As the cyclonic storm 'Helen' will hit Andhra Pradesh coast between Sriharikota and Ongole, close to Kavali, the National Disaster Management Authority has asked for zero casualty preparedness from the state government.

"We have asked the state government to ensure zero casualty. They have already started evacuating people living along the coastline to safer places," NDMA Vice Chairman M Shashidhar Reddy said.

There are around 350 cycle shelters in Andhra Pradesh and all of them will be used to lodge people to be affected by the cycle. Some of the 137 under construction cyclone shelter will also be used for the purpose.

Reddy has spoken to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and other state government officials and asked them to be ready with some plan on the restoration of essential communication post cyclone phase.

District Collectors were instructed to take all precautionary measures and ensure zero casualty by evacuating people from low lying areas.

Major districts to be hit are Nellore, Prakashan, Guntur and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh.

Warnings have already been issued to fishermen in the area to stay away from sea until the cyclone settles down completely.