The severe cyclonic storm Helen over west central Bay of Bengal moved slightly west-north westwards and lay centred about 180 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam and 180 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam on Thursday evening.
It would move west north westwards slowly for sometime, then move westward and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam on Friday afternoon/evening, according to a statement issued by the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) here.
Under its influence, rainfall is likely at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (25 cm or more) over the districts of Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Guntur and Krishna districts of south Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours.
Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Prakasam and Nellore districts of south Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 48 hours. Squally winds with speed reaching 55 kmph to 65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The wind speed would gradually increase up to 100 - 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph at the time of landfall.Storm surge of about 1 to 1.5 m height above astronomical tide is expected to inundate the low-lying areas of Guntur, Krishna, West and East Godavari districts at the time of landfall.
Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea off Andhra Pradesh Coast. Great Danger signal No. X kept hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Odarevu ports and No. IX has been hoisted at Kakinada port.
Local cautionary signal No. III kept hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram, Bheemunipatnam and Kalingapatnam ports. Extensive damage to thatched huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees is expected over coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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