Cyclone Helen crossed the coast near Machilipatnam, popularly known as Bandar, the port town which is the headquarters of Krishna district on Friday afternoon and there was widespread rainfall coupled with gales in the coastal districts, with Krishna and the two Godavari districts bearing the brunt. Gales caused extensive damage in many parts of the districts. A Government revenue official died in West Godavari district when his car hit a tree in West Godavari district while he was on cyclone duty.
The Konaseema area in East Godavari district was one of the worst-hit and authorities evacuated people from the low-lying areas in the coastal villages. Power supply was disrupted in the area, including Amalapuram town, and there was extensive inundation of paddy fields. It is apprehended that there may be heavy damage to the standing kharif paddy crop in the two Godavari districts and Krishna, if the rains continue as predicted for the next two days or so.
However, the movement of trains was not affected in the districts, but the road traffic was blocked at many places due to uprooted trees and bad conditions.
The Kakinada anchorage port as well the deep water port was affected by the cyclone. Loading of rice into in the seven ships at the Kakinada anchorage was stopped from Thursday morning, as barges could not be operated in the foul weather. Cargo-handling at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports was also partly affected.
The impact on the north-coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam was lesser, even though there were widespread rainfall in these the districts too. The cyclone warning centre here has predicted rains for the next two days.
sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in