"VAN" (Tamil Nadu Bureau) :: On November 15, the cyclonic storm Gaja will make its landfall across the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban. Heavy rainfall and wind will also be unleashed on the state along with the cyclone and as many as 30,500 rescue personnel have been kept on standby, as per the Met office.
While the state government machinery has been put on alert, neighbouring Puducherry is also on high alert and precautionary steps have been taken in the union territory. By Tuesday, the cyclone is very likely to move west southwestwards from 720 km east-northeast of Chennai over the Bay and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm, the IMD said.
On November 14, there will be rainfall at most places in Tamil Nadu and extremely heavy (over 20 cm) rainfall over isolated places on the next day. The IMD has asked for a total suspension of fishing from the fishermen into central parts of south and central Bay of Bengalon 12th and 13th and into southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal during 13th and 15th November since the condition will be rough to very rough. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is expected in the south coastal region of Andhra Pradesh in the next four days and Kerala will also receive rainfall on November 15 and 16.
TN CM K Palaniswami called a high-level meeting at the Secretariat of Ministers and top officials and reviewed preparedness in the state as the forecast predicts a severe storm. Further, Revenue Minister R B Udaya Kumar confirmed that over 30,000 rescue personnel have been kept on standby and arrangements have been made for food and shelter at relief centres.
While teams of National and State Disaster Response Forces are ready for deployment, a total of 4,399 locations in low lying areas have been identified as vulnerable. Along with Cuddalore, Nagapattinam several other coastal and vulnerable districts have been advised to stay on high alert, Kumar said.
The wind speed is expected to touch 110 kmph while in Nagappattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district of Puducherry, the storm surge of a height of 1.0 meter is very likely.
"Rooftops may blow off ...damage to power and communication lines," the IMD alert said. They also cautioned against water intrusion in low lying areas and damage to standing crops.
The Central Water Commission has also issued an advisory to Tamil Nadu and Kerala authorities to keep watch on various dams in the cyclone coverage which are already 80 percent to 91 percent full.
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