Cyclone Gaja wreaks havoc across Tamil Nadu, death toll climbs to 33, relief operations on

As the death toll in cyclone 'Gaja' has been raising with each passing day, the team of NDRF and Indian Navy have augmented the Tamil Nadu government’s relief efforts on Saturday. So far, 20 men, 11 women and 2 boys lost their lives in cyclone-related incidents across six districts of Tamil Nadu. Besides, 30,000 electricity poles and over one lakh trees got uprooted owing to cyclone 'Gaja' which left a trail of destructions across the state. However, the damage to standing crops, coconut trees and other long-term crops is yet to be assessed.

Cyclone ‘Gaja’ accompanied by the ferocious gale winds slapped the coastal areas at 120 kmph from Thursday midnight to early morning of Friday. Six coastal districts and three in the hinterland besides Karaikal in Puducherry have been ravaged.

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In the wake of this massive calamity, Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami took a stock of the situations and urged the Centre to release funds to carry out rescue and rehabilitation operations in the worst-hit districts.

As of now, 1,77,500 people have been housed in over 351 camps with food, and medical amenities being delivered by the Palaniswami government.

Ten out of 26 Combined Drinking Water Schemes in coastal districts have been set right. Over one lakh people had benefited by medical camps to prevent epidemics in affected regions. Food was stocked in advance to make it available for people.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning about another low-pressure area near Andaman. “The low pressure is moving in the west direction. So, it would bring rainfall in TN between November 19 and 21,” Met department told reporters.