Cyclone Gaja makes Landfall Near Nagapattinam at 120km/h Wind Speed
“Tamil Nadu , Puducherry brace for cyclone Gaja landfall,heavy rain likely”
Cyclone Gaja intensified into a several 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. According to the preliminary reports hundreds of trees and electric poles were uprooted in different areas of Nagapattinam district. Disconnecting the power supply from 5 P.M. on Thursday in different areas of the Coast the people spent a sleepless night. There is a no immediate information on loss of life and magnitude of loss to the infrastructure. Severe cyclonic storm Gaja crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam with wind speed of 100-110kmph.
“Gaja makes Landfall near Vedaranyam leaves a trail of destruction”
Cyclone Gaja is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours. Heavy to very heavy rain is also likely to occur over the remaining districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The cyclone will also lead to isolated spells of rain in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The cyclone has been changing its pattern and direction over the last few days and has intensified into a severe storm. It was initially expected to hit the coast of Chennai, but has moved towards the Southwest and will cross Tamil Nadu between “pamban” bridge. Ramanathapuram,Cuddalore and Nagapattinam with a wind speed of 80-90 kilometer per hour(kmph) gusting to 100kmph. Due to Cyclone effect the “Pamban” bridge affected due to heavy winds. The bridge has been closed due to heavy winds exceed 58kmph the severe cyclonic storm is likely to move nearly Westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next three hours.
P.P.Neelayathakshi.