The cyclonic storm 'Laila' is showing signs of weakening and has moved closer towards the Andhra coast.<br/><br/>The met office director in Chennai Mr Asokan told AIR Chennai correspondent that the system is likely to move in north easterly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast 50 kilometers south west of Machillipatinam close to Bapatla by this afternoon and likely to cross Kavali and Kakinada by this evening. Widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy rain falls is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 36 hours.<br/><br/>Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is likely over north Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours. Gale force wind with Maximum speed reaching 100 to 110 kmph also likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall. <br/><br/>Since the sea condition will be very high along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 24 hours, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. <br/><br/>Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall. Chief Minister K Rosaiah is reviewing the situation at high-level meeting in Hyderabad.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, heavy rains under the influence of cyclonic storm Laila lashed coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.Local officials confirm that 12 people have been killed so far. <br/><br/>Normal life was thrown out of gear as strong winds lashed Andhra, damaging houses, uprooting trees and snapping power and communication lines. After a review of the situation, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah asked district collectors to use helicopters for rescue and relief operations. Six helicopters have been placed at the disposal of the administration for the purpose. <br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that the state government has alerted the Eastern Naval Command and the Army. Six companies of National Disaster Response Force have also been moved to most vulnerable districts.<br/><br/>Coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore districts – have also been experiencing heavy rains since Tuesday night.<br/><br/>In a related development, the South Central Railways has cancelled or partially cancelled 43 Express and passenger trains which will run through the coast districts due to cyclone.