In Orissa, the cyclonic storm 'Laila' has weakened into a low pressure . Many parts of northern and coastal Orissa experienced heavy rainfalls under the impact of the low pressure. The Bhubaneswar Metrological office has predicted heavy rains in the state in the next 48 hours. The southern parts of Orissa have been experiencing rains since last Thursday, while rain with thundershower is lashing cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other coastal areas.<br/><br/>Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district recorded highest rainfall with 9 cm, Kashinagar, Gopalpur and Puri recorded 4 cm of rain in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, danger signal from all the ports have been withdrawn as the cyclonic storm has weakened. However, fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea.<br/><br/>The death toll rose to 23 due to the cyclone while three are missing. Heavy rains also damaged over 20,000 hectares of crops and horticulture crops in Andhra Pradesh.<br/><br/>Chief Minister K Rosaiah has directed the district collectors to be on alert for two more days as heavy rain is likely to continue in some parts of the state especially in Khammam and Warangal. Health officials were instructed to be cautious as epidemics might break out in the rain-hit areas. <br/><br/>A report of detailed enumeration of loses is awaited.