11 Dead, Over 76,000 Evacuated as Cyclone Gaja Hits TN Coast
At least 11 persons were killed, and over 76,000 others were evacuated in parts of Tamil Nadu as cyclone Gaja made landfall along’s the state’s coast early Friday morning. Rain lashed coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as the severe cyclonic storm 'Gaja' crossed the state's coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranniyam early Friday with wind speed gusting up to 120 kmph.
As the cyclone's landfall began, coastal towns including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thondi and Pamban in Tamil Nadu and Karaikkal and Puducherry received rainfall ranging between 3 cm and 8 cm.
- The state government said a total of 63,203 people have been evacuated and housed in 331 relief centers in 6 districts including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam
- An IMD bulletin at 7:50 pm said the outer band of the system has already entered the coast and rainfall has commenced over coastal areas of TN
- A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in seven districts
- The government has announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts) for those who may need assistance
(Source: Windy.com)
CM Announces Relief, Nagapattinam Worst-Hit
Eleven people have been killed and 81,948 evacuated in Tamil Nadu after Cyclone Gaja made landfall between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam early Friday morning.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami said, "Nagapattinam district has been impacted badly. We can say only to what extent other places are affected only after getting inputs from authorities." Promising to visit the affected areas, the CM also stated that Rs 10 lakhs would be given as compensation to the families of the deceased.
76,000 Evacuated as Cyclone Gaja Makes Landfall in Coastal Tamil Nadu
Over 76,000 people were preemptively evacuated on Thursday across Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Thiruvarur districts.
The cyclone, with winds of speeds up to 120 kmph, was upgraded to a severe cyclonic storm at the time of landfall. The eye of the cyclone entered land just past midnight at 12:30 am. Light to moderate thunderstorms were also experienced through the night in these districts.
(Source: The News Minute)
Trees Uprooted, Houses Damaged in Nagapattinam
The effects of the cyclonic storm was felt in Nagapattinam after trees were uprooted and houses were damaged in the overnight rainfall.
Strong Winds and Rainfall Hit TN's Nagapattinam
Eye of Cyclone 'Gaja' Set to Hit Tamil Nadu Coast
Regional director at Chennai MeT department S Balachandran indicated that the eye of Cyclone ‘Gaja’ is expected to touch the land in the next few minutes.
Shortly before 12 am, Balachandran said that the cyclone lay about 80 kms southeast of Karaikal, moving at a rate of 16 kmph.
“It's expected to cross between Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam between 12 am-3 am…Wind speed (of the cylone) is 100-120 kmph.”