Cyclone Gaja in West-Central Bay of Bengal to become severe cyclone

The cyclonic storm Gaja, in the West-Central Bay of Bengal is likely to become a severe cyclonic storm in the next twenty four hours.  The Indian Meteorological Department said,  the cyclone was  around 780 km East of Chennai and 870 km east-northeast of the coastal town of Nagappattinam this morning. 

The MET Department said, the severe cyclone would gradually weaken and was likely to make a landfall between Pamban near Rameshwaram and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

As per Weather forecasts, north coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and its adjoining districts may witness rain in most of the places from tomorrow for three days, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. On Thursday, there is the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at some places in the region. Southern coastal Andhra Pradesh also is set to witness rain in many



places. The Tamil Nadu government has geared up its official machinery in the vulnerable districts like Cuddalore, Nagappattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram to brace for the cyclone. They have been put on high .

A storm surge of about a meter, with the possibility of causing inundation in low-lying areas in the region has been forecast while the cyclone crosses the shores.

From today evening, strong winds with speeds of up to 110 kilometers an hour are also expected. Officials have said, enough pump sets to evacuate flood water, electric saw tooth to remove uprooted trees and other relief materials have been readied. The NDRF has also mobilized its personnel to mitigate the effects of the cyclone. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea during these days.