At least 11 people were reported dead as severe cyclonic storm Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu's coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam on Friday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, according to The Indian Express, said that as many as 11 people have died due to the cyclone. He further said that the government will give an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased.
The chief minister also said that he will visit the affected areas.
Meanwhile, about 80,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas and sheltered in 471 relief centres in six districts — Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and Tiruvarur.
Gagandeep Singh Bedi, disaster management in-charge, was quoted as saying by ANI that Cuddalore district has been moderately affected. There were several instances of trees being uprooted, but nothing major happened because the administration was on alert, he added.
Cuddalore district has been moderately affected. Due to the moderate rainfall and winds, there are many instances of trees falling down. Since administration was on alert nothing major has happened: Gagandeep Singh Bedi, In-charge for Disaster Management Officer #GajaCyclonepic.twitter.com/htWEoYMccE
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018
Puducherry also saw heavy rains and strong winds. There were reports of trees being uprooted under the impact of the cyclonic storm.
The Puducherry government had opened 190 relief centres and all schools and colleges remained closed today.
Here is what you need to know:
- The cyclonic storm is likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm later on Friday, according to PTI.
- Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister RB Udaya Kumar said that the government has tackled the cyclone situation successfully. He further said that all post-cyclone tasks like cleaning up affected areas have already begun.
- Nagapattinam district Collector C Sureshkumar was quoted as saying by PTI that the Public Works Department (PWD) and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) officials are working on removing the uprooted trees and to restore traffic and electricity supply.