Cyclone Laila is set to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Nellore early on Thursday morning. Fearing the possibility of massive destruction, the entire state machinery is on alert to face the cyclone, aptly named Laila, the Arabic feminine for night.
Nine Andhra districts braced for impact as heavy rain lashed seven districts. State revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao instructed the police and relief staff to evacuate people living across the coastal areas by force if necessary.
Cyclone Laila, though still 150 km from Chennai, was felt in Tamil Nadu too as heavy rains lashed the coastal districts and two people, including a young girl from Thanjavur district, were electrocuted as they stepped on live electric cables. Despite the ban on fishing, three fishermen from Devanampattinam village were reported missing.