The cyclonic storm ‘HELEN’ over west central Bay of Bengal is at present centered at 290 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam and 430 km east of Kavali in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

The system would further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and is expected to cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Sriharikota and Ongole on Thursday night.

People in low lying areas of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna districts have been alerted for evacuation to safer places.

Under the influence of Helen, rain or thunder showers would occur at many places along coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north coastal Tamilnadu and Puducherry. This will be accompanied with squally winds with speed ranging from 55 to 75 kmph.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea. Six teams of National Disaster Response Force are being deployed in the region.