Cyclone Gaja intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on November 15 and crossed the south Tamil Nadu coast in the early hours of November 16.
The government machinery was put on high alert in vulnerable districts, including parts of Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ariyalur and Perambalur.
Here are the live updates:
Gaja batters Vedaranyam
Gaja, a severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam at the early hours of Friday, has left behind a trail of destruction.
According to a preliminary reports, hundreds of trees and electric poles were uprooted in different areas of Nagapattinam district. The coastal areas of the district from Nagapattinam to Point Calimere bore the brunt.
With the Tangedco disconnecting the power supply from 5 pm on Thursday in different areas of the coast, the people spent a sleepless night.
There is no immediate information on loss of life and magnitude of loss to the infrastructure. An official said that the extent of damage and loss of life would be known only after dawn of the day.
Position of Cyclone Gaja at 8.30 p.m. on November 15, 2018. Photo: IMD
An India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said, “severe cyclonic storm Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam ...with wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting up to 120 kmph, early Friday.”
“Though the center of cyclone is over land, rear sector of eye wall is still over sea. It will take about an hour to move over land,” the IMD bulletin issued at 3.15 AM said.
However, Deputy Director General of Meteorology S Balachandran told PTI, the cyclone will take another two hours to fully cross the coast.
The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours, the IMD said.
Entire process expected to take 3 hours
In the latest update shared by the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, following landfall, Gaja is likely going through a lull now. The agency advises people to stay indoors as the entire process is expected to take around three hours.
Gaja makes landfall near Vedaranyam at midnight
Cyclone Gaja made landfall between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam at midnight on Thursday, with wind speed touching 90-100 kmph and gusting to 110 kmph.
According to the India Meteorological Department, there will be widespread rainfall throughout the State under the influence of the system. While a few places in north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may get heavy rain, several parts of south Tamil Nadu may get heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 20 cm.
Gaja makes landfall
Indian Met Dept says that cyclone Gaja began landfall at 12.00 a.m. with a windspeed of about 90-10 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, reports Sunitha Sekar. It is now crossing between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam and is expected to take two hours to cross.
Meanwhile, TN SDMA reports that it has evacuated over 76000 people to safety as of 12.10 a.m.
Rain and thunderstorm expected till 1.00 a.m.
According to the latest 10.30 p.m. update from IMD, Gaja is 65 km east of Nagapattinam and 60 km northeast of Vedaranniyam. It added that the weather warning for Tami Nadu fishermen is valid for 11 p.m. on November 16.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rain and thunderstorm is expected in parts of Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts from 10 p.m. today to 1.00 a.m. November 16
Safety tips
In case you need assistance, contact State helpline at 1070
Likely to have landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore
Cyclone Gaja is likely to have landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore, says the latest TN SDMA update.
"Severe Cyclonic Storm Cyclone Gaja lying 95 km east of Nagapattinam and likely to have landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore near Nagapattinam on early hours of 16th November with the Wind Speed of 100 - 110 gusting to 120 kmph," said the 10.00 p.m. update by the IMD .
Exams postponed
The examinations scheduled for the affiliated colleges of Anna University in Chennai on November 16 have been postponed and will be held on December 13, 2018.
However, the examinations scheduled for the University Departments (College of Engineering, Guindy, Alagappa College of Technology, Madras Institute of Technology and School of Architecture and Planning) will be conducted as scheduled.
Landfall expected early tomorrow
According to the latest Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority update, Gaja is currently 95 km south east of Nagapattinam with a current wind speed of 90 to 100 kmph. It has been upgraded as a 'severe cyclonic storm' and is expected to make landfall in the early hours of November 16, as per the update issued at 8.30 p.m. Our correspondent R. Lakshmi reports that IMD expects the storm to take three to four hours to cross, and the landfall is expected around midnight.
The cyclone is fast gaining speed and has covered a distance of 5 km per hour between 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m, 15 km per hour by 7.30 p.m. and 30 km per hour in the next hour.
Gaja gains speed as landfall approaches
At 7.30 p.m. Gaja lay at 125 km east-southeast of Nagapattinam, says an update from the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority. It seems to have gained speed. As per an update at 5.30 p.m. it was at 150 km east of Nagapattinam, progressing 5 km per hour.
Polytechnic exams postponed in T.N.
Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Technical Education has postponed the diploma examinations in view of Cyclone Gaja. The exams scheduled for November 16, 2018 (morning and evening sessions) will be held on November 22, 2018.
Gaja makes steady progress
An aerial view of the shoreline at Arcot Thurai near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district on November 15, 2018. The usually buzzing beach is now deserted over cyclone Gaja's approach.
According to an update issued by the by the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority. at 6.30 p.m. IST, cyclone Gaja is making a steady progress towards the coast at 5 km per hour. As of 5.30 p.m. IST, Gaja lay 150 km east of Nagapattinam.
Holiday in Thanjavur and Pudukottai
Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management appeals to people in huts and low lying areas in Nagapattinam coast to cooperate with administration and shift to Multipurpose Evacuation Shelters/ Cyclone Shelters.
Meanwhile, November 16 has been declared as a holiday for schools and colleges in Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts.
Holiday for schools, colleges in Tiruvarur
Holiday declared for schools and colleges in Tiruvarur district tomorrow in view of cyclone Gaja
Power supply off in Nagapattinam coast
Power supply has been disconnected along coastal areas in Nagapattinam. All shops and business establishments have been closed in Vedaranyam.
Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority tweets: “ Severe Cyclonic Storm 'GAJA' Location - 155 km NE of Nagapattinam (as of 4.30 p.m. IST) . Current Wind speed - 90 to 100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.” It has moved 5 km since 3.30 p.m.
“ TamilNadu Fishermen weather warning for the next 6 hours valid from 1800 hrs IST on 15th Nov'18 Wind Speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph.”
Beaches closed for visitors in Velankanni, Nagore, Chennai
Visitors at Vailankanni and Nagore beaches have been asked to move away. In Chennai, the Marina Beach has been closed for visitors now.
An approach road to the Marina Beach remains shut in Chennai on November 15, 2018, in view of the impending landfall of Cyclone Gaja late in the evening.
Preemptive measures by Coast Guard
Since November 9, 2018, the Indian Coast Guard has initiated a series of large scale preemptive and proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen’s lives at sea in the wake of alerts on Cyclone Gaja. “Lessons from Cyclone Ockhi and success in preventing loss of lives during recent Cyclones Luban and Titli were put into practice,” a release by the Indian Coast Guard said. As many as eight ICG ships and two Dornier aircraft have been pressed into action since for issuance of advisories and warnings in local languages to fishermen at sea, the release added.
“Anticipating the acute need of relief material and essential items post impact of cyclone in Southern Tamil Nadu areas of Mandapam and Karaikal. One large ICG ship with Helicopter embarked was sailed from Vishakapatnam with relief items such as potable drinking water, essential medicines, packaged food and life-saving material to southern Tamil Nadu coast. 03 other ICG ships were also sailed from Chennai for Mandapam on 15 Nov 18 for augmenting Search and Rescue and post cyclone relief operations.
“Further, Merchant vessels transiting at deep seas were requested through International Safety Net by Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (Chennai) to alert fishermen at deep seas for early return and shelter at nearest ports. Indian Coast Guard has kept Coast Guard response teams at short notice at Chennai, Mandapam, Karaikal and Puducherry for immediate response.”
Since November 9, 2018, the Indian Coast Guard has initiated a series of large scale preemptive and proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen’s lives at sea in the wake of alerts on Cyclone Gaja. Photo: Indian Coast Guard
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority has tweeted this: “ Bulletin No. 40 - Severe CycloneGaja is lying 260 km SE of Chennai and 180 km NE of nagapattinam and likely to have landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore near Nagapattinam on evening of 15th November with the Wind Speed of 80 - 90 gusting to 100 kmph.” The next IMD bulletin on Cyclone Gaja will be issued at 8.30 p.m. IST.
Bharathidasan University postpones exams
Bharathidasan University postpones all its semester examinations scheduled for Friday, November 16.
Nagapattinam Collector S.Suresh Kumar advises residents of the district to stay indoors between 8 and 11 pm today. Cyclone Warning signal 10, signifying very severe cyclone that is expected to cross over or near the port, hoisted at Nagapattinam port.
Announcements are being made in Vedaranyam, asking the people to take shelter in cyclone relief centres.
The sea has turned rough over the last hour in Vedaranyam. Elaborate arrangements have been made along the coastal areas of Nagapattinam district to safeguard people. All mechanised and country boats have been moved to safer places.
Cyclone warning issued
The flag showing cyclone warning, stage 8, is raised in Pamban.
In a bulletin, the India Meteorological Department has issued a cyclone warning, with a red message — which means ‘take action’ — for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, stating that the cyclone “is very likely to move west-southwestwards and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore, around Nagapattinam during late evening” on Thursday.
“Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph” is likely to prevail along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, said the bulletin.
Nagercoil recorded a maximum of 3 cm rainfall overnight, while Ayikudi in Tirunelveli recorded 2 cm rainfall.
Pechiparai (Kanyakumari), Madhavaram (Thiruvallur), and Tenkasi and Sivagiri(Tirunelveli), recorded one centimetre rainfall in the last 24 hours.
Tamil Nadu government has appealed to private employers in the coastal districts of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram to permit their employees to leave early so that they can reach their homes safe before 4 pm.
'Gaja' now a severe cyclonic storm
As per latest updates, Cyclone is likely to have landfall between 8 pm and 11 pm tonight in all probability in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority has tweeted.
A bulletin released by the India Meteorological Department at 12:15 pm states that the storm over southwest Bay of Bengal has moved further west-southwestwards with a speed of 17kmph during the past eight hours and has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
The IMD has predicted rainfall at most palces with heavy to very heavy rains at a few places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, extremely heavy rains (more than 200 mm) at isolated places is also likely over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Karaikkal, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram disttricts.
Sunshine greets Ramnad but officials don't want to take any chances
Public Service Announcement along the shore of Chinapalam, Ramanathapuram, asking people to stay indoors on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairman and Managing Director B Chandra Mohan, who is the district monitoring officer, reviewed the disaster management preparedness in Ramanathapuram on Thursday as ‘Gaja’, the cyclonic storm is likely to hit the coast between Cuddalore and Pamban in the evening.
Accompanied by Collector K Veera Raghava Rao, the monitoring officer inspected the precautionary measures taken by the district administration and other agencies to rescue people in the coastline and other vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, people woke up to a bright sunshine on Thursday morning. There was no trace of any cyclonic threat and life remained normal.
More trains cancelled
Trains Fully Cancelled on 15.11.2018 (Thursday)
Karaikal – Chennai Egmore Express (16176), Velankanni – Chennai Egmore Link Express (16186), Mannargudi – Chennai Egmore Mannai Express (16180), Thanjavur – Chennai Egmore Uzhavan Express (16866), Tiruchchirappalli – Thanjavur Special Fare Special (06866), Velankanni– Karaikal Passenger (76818), Karaikal – Thanjavur Passenger (76815), Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai – Villupuram Passenger (56877 / 56878), Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai – Villupuram Passenger (56873 / 56874)
Trains Partially Cancelled on 15.11.2018 / 16.11.2018 (Thursday / Friday)
Ernakulam – Karaikal – Ernakulam Express (16188 / 16187) is partially cancelled between Karaikal - Nagapattinam on 15.11.2018.
Tiruchchirappalli – Karaikal Passenger (76852) is partially cancelled between Tiruvarur – Karaikal on 15.11.2018.
Karaikal - Tiruchchirappalli Passenger (76851) is partially cancelled between Karaikal - Tiruvarur on 16.11.2018.
KSR Bengaluru – Karaikal Passenger (56514) is partially cancelled between Mayiladuthurai – Karaikal on 15.11.2018.
Karaikal – KSR Bengaluru Passenger (56513) is partially cancelled between Karaikal – Mayiladuthurai on 16.11.2018.
Tiruchchirappalli – Tiruppadripuliyur Passenger (76842) is partially cancelled between Neyveli – Tiruppadripuliyur on 15.11.2018.
Tiruppadripuliyur – Tiruchchirappalli Passenger (76841) is partially cancelled between Tiruppadripuliyur - Neyveli on 16.11.2018.
Trains diverted
Chennai Egmore – Tiruchendur Express (16105) leaving on 15.11.2018 is diverted to run via. Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Tiruchchirappalli
Rameswaram – Tirupati Express (16780) leaving on 15.11.2018 is diverted to run via. Tiruchchirappalli, Vriddhachalam, Villupuram
Rameswaram – Chennai Egmore Express (16852) leaving on 15.11.2018 is diverted to run via. Tiruchchirappalli, Vriddhachalam, Villupuram.
Southern Railway cancels trains
Southern Railway has announced full and partial cancellation of some trains due to Gaja cyclone alert in Tamil Nadu on November 15.
The Tiruchi - Rameswaram - Tiruchi passengers (Train No. 56829 / 56830) are fully cancelled on November 15.
The Rameswaram – Tirupati express (Train No.16780) scheduled to leave Rameswaram on November 15 will be partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Madurai.
The Rameswaram – Chennai Egmore express (Train No.16852) scheduled to leave Rameswaram on November 15 will be partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Manamadurai.
The Rameswaram – Chennai Egmore Sethu express (Train No.22662) scheduled to leave Rameswaram on November 15 will be partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Manamadurai, a release said.
Helplines for Central Tamil Nadu
In case of emergency, call: 1077 / 04365 251992
Information on damages can be conveyed over phone: Thanjavur - 04362-230456, Tiruvaiyaru - 260248, Budalur - 04362- 288107, Orthanad - 04372-233225, Kumbakonam - 0435 - 2430227, Tiruvidaimarutdhur - 0435-2460187, Papanasam - 04374-222456, Pattukottai - 04373 -235049, Peravoorani - 04373 - 232456.
Relief as ‘Gaja’ spares Prakasam
Officials in Prakasam and Nellore districts were relieved as the severe cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’, spared the south coastal Andhra coast.
However, fishing operations in the coastal mandals of Prakasam and Nellore districts were suspended as a precautionary measure as the sea remained very rough.
Officials continued to maintain a vigil as the weather system is likely to result in heavy rain at isolated places in the two districts for the next two days.
Revenue officials in the coastal mandals kept in readiness the cyclone relief centres and positioned essential commodities in case the situation warranted evacuation of people from coastal hamlets to safe places.
Fishermen in the coastal mandals brought their boats to safety, while those in the deep sea rushed back to the shore as IMD predicted squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph in south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Wednesday evening.
The image was taken from INSAT-3D at 8:00 hours IST on November 15, 2018. Photo courtesy: IMD
Weather Warning Bulletin issued by National Weather Forecasting Centre at 0830 hours on November 14, 2018:
Heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with extremely heavy rain at isolated places very likely over Tamil Nadu & Puducherry; heavy rain at isolated places over Rayalaseema, Kerala and south Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Sea conditions very likely to be high along & off Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts and southwest Bay of Bengal.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the above mentioned areas.
Total suspension of fishing operations along & off Tamil Nadu and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coasts.
Storm surge of height of about 1.0M above astronomical hide is very likely to inundate the low lying area of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikkal districts of Puducherry at the time of landfall.
A policeman tries to find shelter as Chengalpattu witnessed heavy downpour on Thursday morning
As Cyclone Gaja approaches the Tamil Nadu coast, the following measures have been taken:
- Eight NDRF teams have been positioned in Tamil Nadu and two in Puducherry
- One NDRF team each in Chennai, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram; two teams in Chidambaram and three in Nagapattinam
- The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority has announced that TNSMART mobile app can be used to receive forecast-based alerts
- Fishing operations are to be suspended along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Thursday
- Telecom operators will deploy 'Cell on Wheels,' portable mobile base stations, in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam to maintain mobile phone connectivity
- Coastal hutment dwellers have been advised to move to safer places.
- People in the regions where the cyclone is expected to make landfall have been advised to remain indoors
Navy put on high alert
The Indian Navy was on Wednesday put on high alert in view of cyclone Gaja approaching the coast of south Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, officials said.
Navy officials said the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed a high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance as the cyclone is poised to cross the coast of the two states on Thursday evening.
"Two Indian Naval ships — Ranvir and Khanjar — are standing by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid and distress relief," said a Navy official.
He said these ships will have additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material on board.
The official said helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation.
1,500 boats moved to safety
Fishing boats being moved from Palk Bay to Gulf of Mannar in Pamban on Wednesday for safe anchoring.
With cyclone Gaja expected to unleash gale winds with speeds of up to 100 km per hour while making landfall on Thursday, about 1,500 mechanised and country boats anchored in the Palk Bay have been moved to the Gulf of Mannar.
Following the Meteorological Department’s warning, the Fisheries Department, as part of its precautionary measures, has assisted fishermen in moving about 500 mechanised boats and 1,000 country boats.
The boats, anchored in the Palk Bay, north of Pamban and Mandapam, have been moved to the Gulf of Mannar in the south side, which is considered safer for the boats due to the presence of the islands that constitute the biosphere.
NDRF conducts reccee in Puducherry
Confidence booster: The NDRF personnel conducting a recce of Jayaram Garden, a low-lying area in Karuvadikuppam, on the East Coast Road on Wednesday.
A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Wednesday conducted a recce of the low-lying areas in Puducherry.
A 25-member team from the NDRF fourth battalion, led by Commander Avinesh Kumar Amar, arrived in Puducherry on Tuesday to assist the district administration in relief work.
Another team led by a commander was rushed to Karaikal.
The team is equipped with necessary rescue equipment, including life jackets, inflatable boats and cutting gadgets and medical kits.
The NDRF had a series of meetings with the senior officials of the Revenue Department on identifying vulnerable areas.
Helpline : People can contact 1070, 1077 and 0413-2253407 at the Collectorate.
Anna University postpones examinations
The Controller of Examination, Anna University, has announced that examinations scheduled on Thursday (15-11-2018) for the affiliated colleges of the university, Chennai, have been postponed. The new date will be announced later.
Pondicherry University too, has postponed examinations at its affiliated colleges.
The local administrations in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur, Puducherry and Karaikal have declared holidays for schools and colleges. In Cuddalore district, schools alone have been asked to be closed.
IMD forecast
S.Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said on Wednesday that parts of seven districts — Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram — are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. There is a possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, above 20 cm, in one or two places in these districts.
Other parts of the State too will receive rain till Saturday. “The degree of rainfall intensity may vary depending on the distance from landfall region. But, this system will provide the much-needed break from the dry spell over parts of the State,” he said.
On prospects of rain in Chennai, he said the city too will get moderate rainfall from Thursday to Saturday due to moisture incursion.
