High alert in AP as cyclone 'Helen' nears the coast

A high alert has been sounded in four coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh as cyclonic storm 'Helen' is expected to cross Bay of Bengal and make a landfall close to Machilipatnam in Krishna district this afternoon.
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.
Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard has despatched its ship Avantibai to rescue 20 fishermen from East Godavari district trapped in the rough sea.
A Chetak helicopter of the Navy is also being pressed into service for the rescue operation, the Navy informed the General Administration department here.
"Our Chetak embarked Vishwast for strategic launch. We also requested for twin-engine helicopter launch," the Navy informed the GAD.