Hyderabad: Cyclonic storm Helen Friday hit Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam, triggering heavy rains and strong gales, killing seven people and causing massive damage to the crops in the coastal region.
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 of Krishna and two Godavari districts.
The deaths were mostly caused by falling trees in the affected districts, said officials.
The sea conditions were rough and the sea water at some places flushed out for a few metres over land.
According to Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, the cyclone made the landfall near Machilipatnam in Krishna district around 2 p.m. Officials said it would take some more time for the entire system to cross the coast.
Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm, many parts of Krishna, Guntur, East Godavari, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam and other districts were receiving rain.
