Cyclone Gaja: All you need to know

NEW DELHI: The cyclonic storm 'Gaja' over the Bay of Bengal is set to make a landfall between Cuddalore and Pamban on Thursday evening bringing heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu. While the state government braces up for the cyclone, holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in many districts. Here are the latest updates:

* The wind speed would be about 80-90 kmph gusting at 100 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD said the cyclone moved at 14 kmph and lay centred over east-northeast of Nagapattinam at 5.30 am.

* The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry coasts Thursday afternoon onwards, the IMD said. The IMD advised total suspension of fishing operations along Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next 24 hours till Friday.

* The IMD has cautioned about major damage to thatched huts. "Roof tops may blow off," and communication and power lines may be affected it had said, adding standing crops could also be hit besides water intrusion in low lying areas.

* The Indian Navy has been put on high alert. "Two Indian Naval ships -- Ranvir and Khanjar -- are standing by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid and distress relief," said a Navy official. The ships will have additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material on board.

* Helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation. The Madurai division of Southern Railway announced full and partial cancellation of eight trains each from and to Rameswaram as a precaution in view of Cyclone Gaja.

* In an attempt to mitigate damage to properties and human lives, the state administration headed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has planned to evacuate around 20,000 people residing on the coastal line and moving them to relief camps.

* The government has set up control rooms (1070 or 1077 or 1031) to enable the people to seek assistance in case of eventualities. People seeking assistance can reach the police department (100), fire and rescue services personnel (101), emergency services (108), electricity department (1912), transport department (1073) and coast guard (1554). People can also call state emergency operation centre (0413 223407), local administration department (0413 2336469), Puducherry municipality (0413 2227518) and Oulgaret municipality (0413 2200382) for assistance.

* The mobile telephone companies also assured the government of moving their mobile telecom towers or cell on wheels to Nagapattinam and Cuddalore. According to a statement from the state government, arrangements have been made to send bulk SMS to mobile subscribers warning about the weather issued by the emergency control centres.

* The CWC had advised action as per the Standard Operating Procedure as heavy rainfall in catchment areas could fill up the dams fast in less than 24 hours. The government has also held discussions with oil marketing companies and they have been advised to maintain sufficient fuel stock.

* Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed a high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance as the cyclone is poised to cross the coast of the two states.

(With agency inputs)