(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
Cyclone Gaja crosses Tamil Nadu, Puducherry; thousands evacuated
16 Nov 2018
Early Friday, the severe cyclonic storm Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam, a weather bulletin revealed. The speed of the winds was estimated at 120 km per hour.
Reportedly, 81,948 people have been evacuated from low lying areas, and have been shifted to relief camps in districts like Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, and Tiruvarur.
Here's more.
Heavy rainfall lashes Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu
Rainfall
Rains lashed Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu in the night, throwing normal life out of the gear.
Visuals from this Tamil Nadu district showed trees were uprooted and houses damaged as a result of strong winds.
Schools and colleges remained shut, and offices were told to relieve employees. Anna University is said to have postponed its examination.
Fishermen were advised to not venture into water bodies.
Trains have been canceled
Fact
Three trains from Chennai to Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts were canceled by the Southern Railways. Meanwhile, four Express trains bound for southern districts were diverted. Trains on way to Rameswaram were halted at Manamadurai.
Government has issued helpline numbers
Preparations
The authorities are on their toes to ensure any untoward incident. The government issued helpline numbers. The state-level helpline number is 1070 and that for districts is 1077.
On the ground, 9,000 first responders are working to rescue people. Four teams of NDRF have been deployed.
Senior bureaucrats were stationed in coastal areas.
As a precautionary measure, power was cut off in Nagapattinam.
Gaja is expected to weaken in next six hours
The course
After wreaking havoc in TN, Gaja is expected to move westwards and gradually weaken in the next six hours or so.
The Indian Meteorological Department said, "Though the center of cyclone lies over land, the rear sector of eyewall is still over the sea. It will take about an hour to move over land."
No information about the magnitude of infrastructure's loss was relayed.
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