Helen unleashes hell

Six including a Tahsildar killed; Farmers who are yet to recover from Phailin left shattered

Heavy to very heavy rains in coastal districts for 36 hrs

Cyclone retains intensity even six hours after landfall

Spares Prakasam & Nellore, moves towards Krishna

Hyderabad: Cyclone Helen made its expected landfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh on Friday around 12.30 pm and left a trail of destruction in Machlipatnam area in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Electric poles, trees were spotted lying strewn all along the cyclone's path.

While the Government stated that two people died, unofficial sources put the toll at six. The severe cyclonic storm spared Prakasam district by changing its course and moving towards Krishna district. The Meteorological department had initially anticipated that the cyclone would hit the coast between Prakasam and Nellore. But it subsequently changed its course and made a landfall at Machilipatnam in Krishna district.

Krishna district has been the worst hit with huge crop losses reported throughout the district. Losses are expected to compound in the coming days with the Met department announcing that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue in the area for another 36 hours.

Heavy rains lashed several areas in Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, and Visakhapatnam districts.

Trees were uprooted disrupting traffic and communication and electricity towers were damaged as strong gales with speed reaching 100-110 kmph caused havoc in the coastal districts. The sea conditions were rough and the waves at some places rose to the height of three metres over the land.

With heavy rains likely to continuing in coastal districts over next 36 hours, authorities have evacuated about 17,000 people from low-lying areas.