The cyclonic storm 'LAILA' remained practically stationary and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 21st May 2010 near Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The current environmental conditions and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models suggest that the system is likely to weaken gradually and move initially in a northerly direction and then recurve into a northeasterly direction towards Orissa.
Under the influence of this system, widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cms or more) is likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during next 24 hours. Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the same period.
In all, about 71,000 people were evacuated to relief camps, and 11 towns and 1492 villages affected by the cyclone in the form of snapping of electricity and inundation. Though Laila's intensity reduced considerably, the winds blowing at a speed of 90-95 kmph continue to leave behind a trail of destruction, though not of the level that was feared before it made the landfall.
Gale force wind with speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours. Sea condition will be high to very high along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hours.