The severe cyclonic storm 'Laila' has moved northwards and lay centered this morning, over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 120 km northeast of Nellore, 100 km southeast of Ongole and 120 km south of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The system is showing sign of weakening due to increase of wind shear and land interaction. According to Met Department, the system is likely to move in a north-westerly to northerly direction by afternoon today and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Kavali and Kakinada by evening. Widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy rain falls is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 36 hours. Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is likely over north Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours. Gale force wind with Maximum speed reaching 100-110 kmph likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast at the time of landfall. Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph is likely along and off north Tamil Nadu coast during next 24 hours. <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 off these coasts. Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West & East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall. <br/> 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. 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. 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. Coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore districts – have also been experiencing heavy rains since Tuesday night.<br/> West Bengal might also experience heavy rains and winds this evening because of Laila. Met officials have warned fishermen in all three states against venturing into the sea. Authorities have sounded an alert in Kolkata and the districts of East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Nadia. <br/>