With a speed of over 120 kmph, severe cyclonic storm made a landfall in Tamil Nadu on Friday morning. It made its landfall between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranniyam. As many as 82 people were evacuated, who have been rehabilitated in over 400 relief centres across six districts.
#GajaCyclone: Two dead and one injured in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district. MC Sampath, State Minister, says, "People who have lost their lives in the cyclone will be given ex-gratia by the state govt." pic.twitter.com/UaXV7d9Sxq — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018
According to IMD communique at 3.15 AM said , "Though the center of cyclone is over land, rear sector of eye wall is still over sea. It will take about an hour to move over land," the IMD bulletin issued at 3.15 AM said. However, Deputy Director General of Meteorology S Balachandran told PTI, the cyclone will take another two hours to fully cross the coast." By 10 AM, the worst is likely to be over.
Rains lashed Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur, uprooting trees in several regions. Electricity supply was disconnected in large part of the region.
Four teams each of National Disaster Response Force personnel have been already deployed in Nagapattinam district while two teams of the state disaster response force in Cuddalore district, officials said Thursday.
The state disaster management authority had released an animated video aimed at creating awareness on the do's and don'ts during cyclone.
The government has announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts) for those who may need assistance.
With agency inputs