Cyclone Gaja effect: The cyclone, christened 'Gaja', which lies over West-Central and adjoining East-Central and South-East Bay of Bengal has moved south-southwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph and lay centred about 720 km east-northeast of Chennai. As predicted by the India Met Department (IMD), the storm is very likely to intensify further into a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' during next 24 hours. Predicting the climate, IMD has also issued a cyclone alert for the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern Andhra Pradesh.


As per the report by The New Indian Express, with the cyclonic storm which is expected to hit Tamil Nadu on November 15, at least 32 revenue districts under 13 districts have been put on high alert in the state.



A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cross the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15, regional
weather office here said Sunday.


According to the bulletin issued by the MeT today, it was mentioned, "The cyclonic storm over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral and Southeast Bay of Bengal moved south-southwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of the 12th November, 2018 over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral & Southeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 12.9°N and longitude 86.9°E, about 720 km east-northeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 800 km eastnortheast of Nagappattinam (Tamil Nadu)." " It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and maintain the intensity during subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter, while moving west-southwestwards, it is likely to weaken gradually and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban as a Cyclonic Storm during 15th November forenoon," the bulletin said.

Watch-



Expected rainfalls

Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran was quoted by PTI as saying that the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu would experience moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall in isolated places from the night of November 14. He further said that on November 15, many places will receive moderate rainfall and isolated places will get heavy rainfall.

Cyclone preventive measures

As per the report, preventive measures to handle the northeast monsoon was being taken and that four high-level meetings had been held as per the instructions of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from today and those already in deep sea have been asked to return.

Listing out measures taken to face the cyclone, Revenue Administration Commissioner K Satyagopal told reporters in Tirunelveli that medical teams were on standby in all districts.