Cyclone ‘Gaja’: 13 dead, 82,000 evacuated, havoc in South

November 17: Cyclone “Gaja” made landfall in the early hours of Friday in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Friday, killing at least 13 people, uprooting trees and knocking down electricity poles after more than 82,000 people were moved out of its path to safety. The severe cyclonic storm that made a midnight landfall near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district left a trail of destruction over seven hours with wind speeds as high as 110 kmph.

The cyclonic system also led to the shifting of over 81,000 people in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram and Tiruchi districts to 471 relief camps, left 28 livestock dead and felled over 5,000 trees and about 13,000 electric poles across the State. Life was hit severely in these districts as the supply of electricity and essentials was disrupted and transport was affected. But government agencies began relief operations on a war footing to restore normalcy in a few hours.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami condoled the death of the 13 persons and announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh to each of their families. The CM announced that ₹1 lakh would be granted to those who sustained serious injuries and ₹25,000 for persons with minor injuries. Heavy rains are also likely over Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Intense rainfall of 100 to 150 mm is possible over Tamil Nadu and Kerala along with flash flooding possibilities. By Friday late night, Gaja  crossed Kerala coast and moved towards Lakshadweep while intensifying further over the Arabian Sea.

After Anna University and Puducherry University, Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) has cancelled their annual examination due to Cyclone Gaja. The exams were scheduled to begin from November 15. CUTN will announce fresh dates soon.

A cyclonic circulation lies over Assam and neighbourhood. It may cause heavy rains over northeast India especially in Arunachal Pradesh. The northern, eastern, central and western region can expect dry weather. The calm winds may result in poor air quality around major cities.