Cyclonic storm 'Helen' to cross AP coast Friday afternoon

Chennai, Nov 21: The severe cyclonic storm 'Helen' will cross the

coast on Friday, and would bring very

under its influence, Indian Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

The severe cyclonic storm would move west-northwestwards slowly for some time, then westsouthwestwards and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machillipatnam, close to Ongole around afternoon of November 22, the IMD said.

IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall at Rayalaseema and adjoining north Tamil Nadu.

IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal AP.

"Gale winds speed reaching 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph Could evail along and off south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu coasts," it said.

Squally winds with speeds reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Sea conditions would be very high along and off Andhra Pradesh coast, and rough to very rough in north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, it added.

PTI