At least seven die in cyclone on India's eastern coast

MACHILIPATNAM, India, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Cyclone Helen struck India's east coast Friday, killing at least seven people and triggering strong winds and rain, officials said.

The cyclone struck Andra Pradesh state Friday afternoon, making landfall near the city of Machilipatnam, the Indo-Asian News Service, based in New Delhi, reported.

The government's Indian Meteorological Department warned a storm surge of water as high as 1.5 meters (5 feet), would inundate several states on the Indian Ocean coast and would maintain its intensity for about 6 hours, before weakening to a tropical depression.

Authorities said they have evacuated more than 17,000 people from low-lying areas, and 66 relief camps were open to serve them.