Andhra, Orissa on high alert as cyclone ‘Laila’ prepares to strike

Meteorologists are warning a tropical cyclone could hit the east coast of India and Bangladesh, putting thousands of homes and scores of lives at risk. Officials have issued a cyclone alert at ports in the eastern state of Orissa and begun preparations for mass evacuations amid fears of flooding.

The cyclone, named Laila, is gusting at up to 40mph but is still some 400 miles east of Chennai. Forecasts suggest it could reach speeds of 120mph and – if it continues on course – hit Andhra Pradesh, home to steel plants, oil refineries and ports, on Thursday.

"The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move initially in a north-westerly direction towards Andhra Pradesh coast," said a statement issued by the The India Meteorological Department.

Heavy rains are likely to lash coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu during the next two days, as cyclone Laila further intensified today. ''Latest satellite images and radar observation indicates that cyclonic storm 'Laila' lies centred at about 400 km east of Chennai.

This system is likely to intensify further and move in a west north-westerly direction and cross the Andhra coast between Ongole and Vishakapatnam in the early hours of Thursday,'' Met officials said in Chennai.

They said scattered heavy and isolated very heavy rains would occur over coastal Andhra Pradesh and isolated heavy rain may also occur over North Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from tonight.