The cyclonic storm Helen over coastal Andhra Pradesh and its neighbourhood has further weakened into a low pressure area moving in west-southwestward direction.

However, the Met Department predicts rainfall at many places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during next 12 hours before the low pressure could dissipate.

Officially 6 deaths have been reported due to rain as the cyclone Helen hit the region.

Preliminary reports put the crop loss in four districts, Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari due to heavy rains caused by the cyclone at 1.7 lakh hecatares.

While around 381 houses got damaged. Rescue and relief operations have gathered momentum in Guntur, Krishna, East and West Godavari districts as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deputed 10 teams in the State to take up rescue operations in cyclone ‘Helen’ affected mandals.

About 21,283 people were being sheltered in 93 relief camps in the coastal districts.

In West Godavari traffic was restored on the Palacol-Narsapur National Highway and the other State highways.

Many villages in the cyclone affected districts are still in darkness for more than 24 hours as trees and electric poles were uprooted at several places causing disruption in power supply.