Gaja battered the Tamil Nadu coast, particularly Nagapattinam, on Friday, leaving about 23 people dead and causing widespread destruction.
As the Cyclone Gaja ripped through Nagapattinam early Friday uprooting trees and snapping power lines, leaving a trail of destruction in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Navy diverted two ships to provide assistance in relief operations.
Two Indian Navy ships - Chetlat and Cheriam- have been diverted to Karaikal in Puducherry to render assistance to state authorities as required for disaster relief operations.
Three Indian Navy ships, namely Darshak, Carnicobar, and Coradivh, are on standby at Chennai, while INS Ranvir and Khanjar are at Vizag to augment relief efforts at short notice, noted an official release from the Navy.
One helicopter sortie was flown from INS Parundu to assess the effect of Gaja damages in and around Ramanathapuram. The Indian Navy has also positioned a Dornier Detachment at Arakkonam to facilitate damage assessment and any other assistance that may be needed.
The cyclonic storm Gaja battered the Tamil Nadu coast, particularly Nagapattinam, on Friday, leaving about 23 people dead and causing widespread destruction. Other districts like Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Cuddalore also bore the brunt of the cyclone.
The meteorological department authorities said the cyclone crossed the coast near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district between 12.30 am and 2.30 am on Friday with heavy rain combined with wind speeds of about 110-120 kmph. Atirampattinam in Thanjavur district recorded maximum wind speed of 117 kmph while Nagapattinam town witnessed 100 kmph.
The cyclonic storm has left a trail of destruction in the coastal areas of Nagapattinam - Vedaranyam and Kodiyakarai and it remains cut off with the uprooted trees and electricity poles blocking vehicle movement. Besides communication links also affected.
Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that relief and rescue operations would be undertaken on a war-footing to help people resume their normal life in cyclone-hit areas.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Palaniswami regarding the situation in the state and assured all possible help on behalf of the Centre.
Modi spoke to Palaniswami and learnt about various matters relating to the cyclone, including the damage caused by it and the post cyclone measures that are to be taken, an official release said.
Heavy rains and strong winds lashed neighbouring Puducherry as well and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy reviewed the situation.
Narayanasamy told reporters at Karaikal that the territorial government would soon submit a detailed report to the Centre on the losses suffered due to the storm.
All schools and colleges including private institutions remained closed Friday for the second day.
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