Tamil Nadu: Cyclonic storm Gaja to intensify; 13 districts put on high alert

At least 13 districts Monday have been put on high alert in Tamil Nadu with a cyclonic storm Gaja expected to hit the state on November 15. The cyclonic storm Gaja, named by Thailand, was currently located 840 kilometre off Chennai coast and 980 kilometre away from Sriharikota.

The cyclone would intensify further into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ by Monday and is likely to move west south-westwards towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts. However, it is likely to weaken and cross the coasts of Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) and Sriharikota (Andhra) as a cyclonic storm, according to the India Meteorological Department.

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Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has directed the administration to remain vigilant and four high-level meetings have already been held to discuss preventive measures, said Tamil Nadu Minister for Disaster Management RB Udayakumar.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai, said the weather system is expected to bring moderate rainfall from Wednesday evening over many places of north coastal districts, including Tiruvallur, Chennai and Cuddalore. One or two places may have chances of heavy rainfall too.

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“We are tracking the system’s movement and intensity that will determine rains spreading over interior parts of the State. Its movement and strength will determine the rain spell,” he said. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into south-east and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal from Sunday and those engaged in deep sea fishing have also been advised to return to the coast before November 12.