The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to press into service a coastguard ship with helicopter to rescue about 20 fishermen reportedly missing in the fury of the Helen cyclone.
The fishermen in three boats belong to Katrenikona village and spotted near the Kothapally light house in East Godavari district. The Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who reviewed the latest situation arising out of the movement of the cyclonic storm has directed the district administration to swing into action.
The ICGS Avantibai is sailing with despatch from Visakhapatnam. The Navy has requested for an helicopter to launch search.
The coastal districts of Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari have been put on high alert. A large number of people are being evacuated from low lying areas, several relief camps have been activated.
The National Disaster Relief Force has been deployed and in coordination with the police, fire, medical, agriculture departments is in action.
According to the latest report, cyclone Helen is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast at Machilipatnam port. The port town is already on high alert and taking precautionary measures.
Reports of extensive damage to standing crop, infrastructure is coming in as heavy rains are battering several districts with gale winds.