Kolkata, May 20 (PTI): An alert has been issued in six coastal districts of West Bengal and people asked to move to safer places today as there was a possibility of the weakened cyclone Laila moving towards the state.

Quoting the latest weather bulletin, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said the alert has been issued as the cyclone, which was lying centred 200 km away from Machhlipattinam in Andhra Pradesh, could move towards the West Bengal coast.

Under its influence, heavy rain has been forecast in coastal areas from tomorrow evening and fishermen warned against venturing into the sea.

The alert, sounded in six districts, including North and South 24-parganas, East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, would continue and precautionary measures have been taken, Dasgupta said after a high-level meeting at Writers' Buildings here.

The minister said that a control room has been opened at Writers' Buildings and in six district headquarters.