Swaying gushy winds, Cyclonic storm Gaja hits Tamil Nadu coast claiming 11 lives

Chennai, November 16: The severe cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ crossed the Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam early Friday morning with wind speeds gusting up to 120 kmph claiming 11 lives in Tamil Nadu. CM Palaniswami has announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the families of the deceased. He also said that relief work will be taken up on a war-footing and that the work was already underway.

As many as 81,948 people were evacuated from low lying areas and sheltered at over 471 relief centres in six districts including Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tiruvarur. The severe cyclonic storm is likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm, the latest bulletin released by IMD stated.

The weather department earlier recommended complete suspension of fishing operations along the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining Andhra Pradesh. The government has also announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts) for those who may need assistance.

Assuring complete support from the Central Government, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, 'Spoke to CM K Palaniswami regarding the situation in cyclone-affected areas of Tamil Nadu. Assured all possible assistance from Centre in mitigating the situation arising due to the cyclone.'

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also directed Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba to monitor the situation in Tamil Nadu and provide all help to the state administration.