India braces for cyclone Gaja, schools to remain closed

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India braces for cyclone Gaja, schools to remain closed

New Delhi - Cyclone Gaja is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Tamil Nadu coast.

By PTI/IANS

Published: Thu 15 Nov 2018, 8:44 AM

Last updated: Thu 15 Nov 2018, 11:06 AM

The Indian Navy was Wednesday put on high alert in view of cyclone Gaja approaching the coast of south Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, officials said.

#IndianNavy on the Alert for Cyclone Gaja relief efforts as the cyclonic storm is approaching the coast of South Tamil Nadu & Pudducherry - likely poised to cross East coast on the evening of 15 Nov @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman @narendramodi
- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 14, 2018

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.

Cyclone #Gaja over South West Bay of Bengal set to cross #TamilNadu coast this evening. Weather officials says, it will make a landfall in between Cuddalore and Pamban, around Nagappattinam.

Pic: @Indiametdept pic.twitter.com/oUi8H33g58
- All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 15, 2018

"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.

Tropical Cyclone #GajaCyclone #Gaja on the N Indian Ocean is expected to reach tropical storm conditions (34 kt) or greater to impact land within 36 hours. Max. Sustained Winds: 45 kt, 52 mph, 83 kph, Gusts: 55 kt, 63 mph, 102 kph. @DisasterawareE #preparedness #BeSafe pic.twitter.com/BvTYlMqYJx
- DisasterAWARE Enterprise (@DisasterawareE) November 14, 2018

The official said helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation.

Cyclone Gaja centred over Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday evening or night, the Met said.
The wind speed would be about 80-90 kmph gusting at 100 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In its Thursday bulletin, the IMD said the cyclone moved at 14 kmph and lay centred over east-northeast of Nagapattinam at 5.30am
Gaja is likely to move west-southwestwards and cross between Pamban and Cuddalore.
The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry coasts Thursday afternoon onwards, the IMD said.
It advised total suspension of fishing operations along Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next 24 hours till Friday.
Schools and colleges have been closed in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai districts in Tamil Nadu and in Karaikal district in Puducherry.
According to the AIADMK government, telecommunication companies have assured they would have oil stocked for a minimum of five days in the cyclone expected zone and for 15 days at their headquarters.
The mobile telephone companies also assured the government of moving their mobile telecom towers or cell on wheels to Nagapattinam and Cuddalore.
According to a statement from the state government, arrangements have been made to send bulk SMS to mobile subscribers warning about the weather issued by the emergency control centres.