28 dead, over 80,000 in relief camps as Cyclone Gaja hits Tamil Nadu

The cyclone has caused extensive damage in southern India’s coastal region after more than 80.000 residents were evacuated. People living in low-lying areas had been moved into more than 470 relief centers in six districts, and fishermen were warned to stay away from the sea.

Cyclone Gaja which crossed Tamil Nadu’s coast early Friday, has claimed 20 lives, says a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu government on Friday. The severe cyclonic storm slammed into the Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranniyam bringing with it heavy rain, and causing severe damage to communication and power infrastructure, mainly in Nagapattinam district.

Speaking to reporters at Salem, Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami said relief work will be taken up on a war-footing and that the work was already underway.

The Tamil Nadu CM also announced that the families of the deceased will be provided a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund (CMPRF).

Over 80,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and have been moved into more than 470 relief centers in six districts, and fishermen were warned to stay away from the sea.

A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Nagapattinam.

Rains lashed Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur during the cyclone’s landfall, uprooting trees in several regions. Electricity supply was disconnected in Nagapattinam and several other coastal regions in view of the cyclone’s landfall as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Four teams 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.

The state disaster management authority had released an animated video to create awareness on the do’s and don’ts during the cyclone. The government has also announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts).

IMD has predicted rainfall at most places with heavy rains at a few places and very heavy at isolated places very likely over south and north of interior Tamil Nadu.