Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alert

Heavy rains and gales battered India's southeast coast as the region braced itself for one of the worst storm in 14 years, Cyclone Laila.

So far, 27 people have died and numerous towns and villages inundated.

Across the region, thousands of residents were evacuated. Power supply in many areas was cut off and the transport system was paralysed.

After making a landfall on Thursday evening, this system started to weaken gradually.

Cyclonic storm Laila remained stationary near south coastal Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains and gales continue to batter the region.

With the Weather Office forecasting more rains, the authorities said the threat to Andhra Pradesh was not yet over.Over 50,000 people remain in 255 relief camps at present.

Electricity and communication has been disrupted.Train services remained paralyzed for the second day.Over 100 trains have been cancelled while several other trains were diverted.

Road transport has come to a standstill due to rains and uprooted trees. The Chennai-Kolkata national highway in Ongole town is under four feet water.

The sea condition will remain rough along and off Andhra Pradesh and Orissa coast during next 12 hours. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours. (NDTV IMAGE)

The strong winds with speed crossing 100 km per hour uprooted trees and damaged mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres.Authorities said the exact damages would be known after the rains recede.

Authorities have kept ready 10 helicopters and armed forces have moved three columns. The Indian Air Force has also kept 11 aircrafts on standby to meet any eventuality.

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. (AFP Photo)

According to the Met bulletin, the system started showing signs of weakening on Thursday evening.However, the threat has not subsided yet as gales with speeds of over 115 km in the coastal areas may cause a lot of damage.

Over 40,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh as cyclone Laila appeared to be weakening gradually.

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

In this picture, young fishermen run past fishing boats anchored on the shore after cyclone Laila's alert in Puri, Orissa. (AP Photo)

A man gathers leaves for his goats as dark clouds hover over them on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. (AP Photo)

North coastal Tamil Nadu was also battered by high tides and fierce winds. The region has been experiencing heavy and widespread rainfall.

In Chennai and Puducherry, rains brought welcome relief from the heat even though it did lead to water-logging and traffic congestion in many areas. Thirty six trains were reportedly cancelled in Andhra Pradesh.

An unspecified number of fishermen who put out to sea in over 100 boats from Tamil Nadu region on Monday were missing even as strong winds lashed coastal Tamil Nadu under the influence of cyclone Laila.

Heavy rainfall of up to 25 cm is expected in the coastal districts.

So the administration is keeping a watch on vulnerable structures like bridges and culverts.

The cyclone may fizzle out once it reaches Orissa and form into a deep depression after hitting Andhra's coast.

According to the Meteorological Department, cyclonic storm "Laila" could stall the progress of the Southwest Monsoon for a couple of days, but would have no bearing on the onset of the Monsoon over Kerala on May 30.