Cyclone Gaja: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh on alert as storm to intensify today

Cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ will cross North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15, the Met office said on Monday, while it advised fishermen not to venture into sea whose condition will be rough to very rough from Tuesday morning as the wind speed is expected to up further touching 110 kmph.

Gales reaching 80-90 kms per hour was likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Revenue Minister RB Udaya Kumar said 30,500 rescue personnel were on standby while arrangements had been made for food and shelter at relief centres for those in low lying areas.

According to the latest IMD bulletin, the cyclone lay about 720 km east northeast of Chennai over the Bay on Monday and it is very likely to move west southwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday.

On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat of Ministers and top officials to review the preparedness. Across the state, a total of 4,399 locations have been identified as vulnerable and teams have been deployed for rescue, he told reporters.

Teams of the National and State Disaster Response Forces will be also be deployed.

Udaya Kumar said Coastal and vulnerable districts, including Cuddalore and

Nagapattinam, have been advised high alert. The IMD said the system was likely to weaken gradually and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban as a cyclonic storm on November 15 forenoon.

The IMD added that on November 14, there will be rainfall at most places in Tamil Nadu on and extremely heavy (over 20 cm) in isolated places in norther parts of the state the next day.

Damages to thatched huts and houses likely

# The IMD also warned of major damage to thatched huts and houses.

"Roof tops may blow off ...damage to power and communication lines," it said adding standing crops could also be hit and cautioned sea water intrusion in low lying areas.

 # The Central Water Commission asked Tamil Nadu and Kerala authorities to maintain strict vigil at various dams which come under the "cyclone field" and are already 80 per cent to 91 per cent full.

Puducherry also likely to be hit

# Neighbouring union territory of Puducherry, which is also covered by the cyclone alert, said it is on high alert as well and precautionary steps are being taken to meet the situation.

# Puducherry Revenue and Industries Minister MOHF Shah Jahan said the union territory has been put on high alert.

(With PTI inputs)