The government is focusing its post-cyclone rebuilding efforts in Karaikal, an enclave of the Union Territory which bore the brunt of Cyclone Gaja.
The cyclone, which made its landfall between Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam in the early hours of Friday, left a trail of destruction in Karaikal.
Strong gales accompanied by incessant rains since Thursday evening had uprooted hundreds of trees and electric posts in Karaikal North, T.R.Pattinam and Nedungadu Assembly segments.
Coastal hamlets hit
The coastal hamlets bore the brunt of devastation, with sea water entering the villages and damaging fishing vessels docked in the coast.
As per preliminary estimates, over 4,000 trees, 150 electric posts and two transformers were uprooted in Karaikal.
Around 5 km of High Tension electric lines and 10 kms of Low Tension Electric Lines were damaged. Apart from this, as many as 718 houses and thatched huts were partially damaged, while 150 fishing vessels were damaged.
A number of fishing vessels drifted and smashed into casuarina groves while several boats also landed on the road at Mandakaputhur and Akkarampettai in Karaikal.
The total damage to crops and other infrastructure is still being assessed by officials of the Agriculture and Revenue Departments.
Many coastal hamlets in the region suffered power cuts due to damage to electric posts.
The Puducherry Electricity Department has initiated steps for resumption of power supply in the affected areas.
However, no reports of casualties or injuries have been received so far.
Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, accompanied by Ministers Malladi Krishna Rao, M. Kandasamy and M.O.H.F Shahjahan visited the cyclone affected areas of Mandakaputhur, Akkampettai, Kottucherry, Kilkasakudi, Karaikal Medu and Kilimjal Medu on Friday.
