Cyclone Laila kills 27 in AP, likely to weaken

Hyderabad, May 21: Cyclone Laila continued to wreck havoc in coastal Andhra Pradesh for the third consequtive day. As of Friday, May 21 morning, the cyclone has claimed 27 lives and left several villages and towns submerged under water.

With Laila stationary over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, heavy rains continue to lash the region. Means of transportation and communication have been disrupted.

Prakasam and Guntur district have been the worst-hit by the cyclone, triggered off by the depression over the Bay of Bengal.

Nellore and Krishna districts were also reeling under the adverse effects of gusty winds and the heavy downpour.

In a bulletin released at 7:30 am Friday, May 21, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, "The system is likely to weaken gradually and move initially in a northerly direction and then recurve into a northeasterly direction towards Orissa."

Orissa, which has already begun experiencing the fury of Laila, has been put on alert.

OneIndia News