Cyclone Laila to hit AP coast by noon

The meteorological department has predicted that Cyclone Laila will hit Andhra Pradesh coast between Kavali and Kakinada by Thursday afternoon. Evacuation process is on in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and more than 11 lakh people are expected to be affected if the cyclone hits the state's coastal regions.

However, meteorological department on Thursday morning said that the cyclone had weakened but was still capable of causing some damage. The wind speed had dropped to 110 km per hour from 125 km per hour, a meteorological department official said.

Hyderabad cyclone control room numbers: 040-23239922, 040-23239900. Helpline numbers for Vijayawada: 0866-2767295, 0866-2767077, 0866-2767078