The cyclonic storm Gaja battered the Tamil Nadu coast, particularly Nagapattinam, on Friday, killing at least 23 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.
1. Disaster relief operations underway
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The aftermath of cyclone Gaja is seen in Tamil Nadu, India November 16, 2018, in this picture obtained from social media.
Photo Credits: Reuters
2. Gaza kills over 30 and causes widespread destruction
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The aftermath of cyclone Gaja is seen in Tamil Nadu, India November 16, 2018, in this picture obtained from social media.
Photo Credits: Reuters
3. Trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu
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The aftermath of cyclone Gaja is seen in Tamil Nadu, India November 16, 2018 in this picture obtained from social media.
Photo Credits: Reuters
4. People clear away fallen tress near railway station
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Indian residents clear away fallen trees near the train station in Nagapattinam in India's southern Tamil Nadu state on November 16, 2018, after a cyclone struck the region. Powerful winds felled trees destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee to safety as Cyclone Gaja barrelled into India's eastern coast November 16.
Photo Credits: AFP
5. Fallen pole and a damaged motorbike
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A fallen pole and a damaged motorbike are seen in a road after cyclone Gaja hit Velankanni, in Nagapattinam district in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India, November 16, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
6. Wave hits the sea walkway
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Rameswaram: A wave hits the sea walkway after cyclonic storm ''Gaja'' made landfall at Rameswaram, in Ramanathapuram district, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. Over 80,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas as severe cyclonic storm ''Gaja'' crossed Tamil Nadu''s coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam early Friday, bringing heavy rains in coastal regions.
Photo Credits: Reuters
7. Aftermath of cyclone
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The aftermath of cyclone Gaja is seen in Tamil Nadu, India November 16, 2018, in this picture obtained from social media.
Photo Credits: Reuters
