The Andhra Pradesh coast may escape severe battering by cyclonic storm Laila that is showing signs of weakening before hitting the seashore. However, heavy rains with gales, which killed 10 people, brought normal life to a halt in the coastal region.

Weather officials forecast that the cyclonic storm may not cause severe damage when it crosses the coast between Kavali and Kakinada, close to Machilipatnam in south coastal Andhra Pradesh by Thursday afternoon.