Cyclonic Gaja- The Demon Killed more than 20 lives, about 80,000 Evacuated to Save their Lives

Cyclonic Gaja-The Demon killed more than 20 in Tamil Nadu, about 80,000 people fled to safe places, due to the Red Alert.

Cyclonic Gaja made a landfall on November 16, 2018 about 1: 45 AM last night in Nagapattinam.  Power Supply was disconnected as a precautionary measure in Nagapattinam and several other coastal regions.  A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Nagapattinam district.  The government has also announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts).

As reported by Indian Meteorological Department, �A low pressure area which formed over the Gulf of Thailand and adjoining Malay Peninsula had emerged into the Andaman Sea in the beginning of the week. Moving along the south & adjoining central parts of Bay of Bengal, it concentrated into a Depression and intensified into a Deep Depression on 10th November 2018. It further intensified into a Cyclonic Storm �GAJA� in the early morning hours of 11th . Maintaining the same intensity, it continued to move towards the southern parts of east coast and lay over South West Bay of Bengal about 150 km east of Nagapattinam (Tamilnadu) at 1730 hrs IST of 15th November. A western disturbance and an induced cyclonic circulation associated�

The iron-handled Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast with a wind speed of  100-110 kmph gusting up to 120 kmph according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

About 82, 000 people evacuated from the red alert area to save their lives from the Cruel Demon Gaja, and moved to 470 relief centers in Six districts including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and Tiruvarur.  All fishing activities have been suspended till there is recovery.  All schools in Cuddalore and Rameswaram districts remained closed on Thursday.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Palaniswami showed great regrets and promised all possible help from the state and center. People who lost their lives in this mishap, will be given ex-gratia by the state government, according to State Minister MC Sampath.

Many trees were uprooted in Nagapattinam overnight by the fierce winds and it is very likely to mover westwards  and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next 6 hours.  Southern railway cancelled four trains including three from Chennai to Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts and four express trains were diverted.  Indian Navy is put on alert, with two Naval Ships equipped with divers, helicopters and inflatable boat were also docked to move to the affected areas to supply the humanitarian aids to the victims.  The state disaster management authority had released an animated video to create awareness on the do�s and don�ts during the cyclone.

As the cyclone moves Westward, rain to occur in South Coastal Anthra Pradesh at Nellore and Prakasam districts, isolated places in Chittoor Districts and in South regions of Kerala.