Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alert
A "severe" cyclone packing winds of up to 125 kilometres an hour, Cyclone Laila closed in on India's southeast coast as thousands of residents evacuated their homes fearing major storm damage.
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Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alertHeavy 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. -
Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alertThe 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. -
Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alertNellore, 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) -
Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alertAccording 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. -
Cyclone Laila: Coastal areas on high alertThe 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.
