Andhra Pradesh faces threat of cyclone Laila

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), May 19 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh is facing the threat of the cyclonic storm Laila, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify.

The current environmental conditions and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models suggest that the cyclonic storm Laila, is likely to intensify further and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday.

"Bay of Bengal got in to a cyclonic storm and now it is lay centred at 5.30 hours evening at about 520 kilometers south... It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly area direction, and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam," said V. L. P. Prasad, Director of Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam.

Under its influence, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall (of 25 cm or more) and extremely heavy isolated rain during the next 48-hours.

It has been forecast that gale force winds of 65-75 kilometer per hour may increase to 115-125 kilometer per hour in Andhra Pradesh.

Squally winds reaching 50-60 kilometer per hour are also likely to blow along and off the coast of north Tamil Nadu during the next 24 hours.

Waves are expected to be very high along and off the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coastlines.

Fishermen have been advised to not venture into the sea off these coasts. (ANI)