Cyclone Laila to Hit AP by Afternoon; Over 40,000 Evacuated

Cyclone Laila seems to be weakening gradually today and is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam by noon, said media reports.

More than 40, 000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas of the state, reports said.

According to the latest bulletin released by the MeT department, Laila continues to be ‘practically stationary’ and lay centred some 20 km south off Machilipatnam coast and is expected to hit the mainland by the afternoon, said reports.

“The system is showing signs of weakening due to increase of wind shear and land interaction,” the Met bulletin said.

A senior official of the Disaster Management Department said that the threat still existed as windstorm with speeds of more than 115 km in the coastal areas might cause a lot of damage, reports said.

“We have already moved about 40000 people from vulnerable villages to safety and many more will be shifted based on need,” he was quoted as saying.

In the meanwhile, Defence Minister AK Antony said, “The armed forces were always ready to help the civil administration whenever they are in distress.”

“Whatever help is needed from the Navy and the other armed forces, we will extend,” he was quoted as saying.

Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari districts are likely to bear the brunt of the cyclonic storm even as heavy to extremely heavy rain has been forecast in the coastal districts in the next 36 hours, said reports.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah monitored the situation all through the night and held a tele- conference with district collectors to review the rescue operations and preparedness of the government machinery, said reports.

He ordered to keep ready adequate stocks of essential commodities in all the affected places, reports said.

He also asked the collectors to make food and medical arrangements for people in relief camps, said reports.

(Based on internet reports)