Cyclone Gaja live updates: 33 killed, Navy pressed into action for relief work

Heavy rains have been forecast for Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts.

Heavy rain started to lash Nagapattinam district on Thursday night. Drizzling in Rameswaram.

Tamil Nadu food Minister R Kamaraj visited various places in Tiruvarur district, including Muthupettai, Jambuvanodai, Thillaivilagam and inspected the preparedness to face the cyclone, while, the minister for Handlooms and Textiles OS Manian took out a tour across the Nagapattinam district and inspected the shelters and other arrangements to meet the exigencies.

Hourly update on severe cyclonic storm Gaja

The Cuddalore district administration has kept 311 lifebuoys ready at various flood-prone and low-lying areas to rescue people in case of flooding. The administration has kept 12 long range torch lights, 452 torch lights, 249 life jackets, 276 JCB machines, 196 generators, 219 saw machines, 93,100 sand bags and 9,846 casuarina logs ready to face any eventualities.

The Cuddalore district administration has kept 311 lifebuoys ready at various flood-prone and low-lying areas to rescue people in case of flooding.

Cuddalore district collector V Anbuselvan instructed all the officials not to take leave on Friday so as to take up relief and rehabilitation measures swiftly. The officials are directed to remove most of the banners and hoardings in the district.

55,078 people have been evacuated in the five districts so far. This includes 44,087 in Nagapattinam district: TN govt

The Cuddalore district administration has launched an FM radio channel (107.8MHz) to ensure uninterrupted dissemination of information on the cyclone if other communication tools fail.

Puducherry govt declared a holiday for the government, private schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal region.

Puducherry govt declared a holiday for the government, private schools and colleges in Puducherry and Karaikal region.

Pondicherry University has postponed all exams for the affiliated Institutions scheduled on November 16 in view of cyclone Gaja.

Update on the cyclonic storm 'Gaja'

Update: 26,399 people have been evacuated in five districts and taken to 164 relief centres​

14,445 people, including 2,231 children evacuated ahead of cyclone landfall and taken to 94 govt relief centres in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts: Tamil Nadu govt

Schools in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts will remain closed on Friday due to cyclone Gaja.

At the time of landfall, wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting up to 100 kmph and heavy rains were likely along the region, the Met office said.

The cyclone, the first major weather system to form since the onset of the northeast monsoon on November 1, was moving at a speed of 10 kmph as of 6pm, met department said.

The storm which lay over the Southwest Bay about 140 km east of Nagapattinam and Karaikal in neighbouring Puducherry was very likely to cross the coast between Cuddalore and Pamban around Nagapattinam by evening or Thursday night after weakening into a cyclone: Met

Puducherry: Cyclone Gaja is 138km east of Karaikal, likely to make landfall around Nagapattinam tonight