Cyclone ‘Laila’ Intensifying; TN, Andhra Expected to Have Heavy Rains

Cyclone ‘Laila’ is intensifying in the Bay of Bengal about 700 km south-east of Chennai with coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh expected to witness heavy rains and very strong winds, said media reports.

“The current environmental conditions and weather models suggest that the system is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction towards Andhra Pradesh coast,” an advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department said.
According to the weather office, a strong wind with speed reaching 65-75 kmph is likely to start along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from tonight, reports said.

Citing rough sea conditions, the advisory said: “Fishermen are advised not venture into the open sea.”

The weather office said that experts had been continually tracing the path of the cyclone and the concerned state governments had been informed to enable them to plan their response properly, said reports.

Besides, monsoon watchers were closely scrutinizing the influence of cyclone Laila on the seasonal rainfall, which started with showers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reports said.

(Based on internet reports)