Cyclone Gaja live updates: 13 killed; PM assures Tamil Nadu of all help

Dindigul, one of the inner-most districts of Tamil Nadu, was experiencing a cyclone storm for the first time in recent times in the wee hours of Thursday.

A flood warning has been issued along Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu as 12,000 cusecs of water is being released into the river due to heavy rains.

Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph very likely along and off Kerala coast during next 48 hours.

There are heavy rainfall warning at most places with heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kerala during next 24 hours.

Spoke to Tamil Nadu chief minister, assured all possible help from the Centre: PM

My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives due to cyclonic conditions in parts of Tamil Nadu: PM Narendra Modi

The deep depression over interior Tamil Nadu moved west-southwestwards, weakened into a depression and lay centred at 5.30pm on Friday over central Kerala, about 20 km east-northeast of Kochi. It is very likely to move westwards and emerge into southeast Arabian Sea during next 12 hours.

The predicted route of cyclonic storm over Kerala

In a statement, the chief minister said people who suffered major injuries would be given a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each while those who sustained minor injuries will get Rs 25,000.

As cyclone Gaja crossed the Tamil Nadu coast early Friday, a dredger that was anchored in Karaikal port ran aground due to the strong winds. However, there were no casualties, official sources said.

The dredger 'Veera Prem' belongs to Mumbai-based Mercator Ltd and was anchored in Karaikal Port premises since January, the sources said. It was dragged for about 60 km from the port before it ran aground, they said.

Nagapattinam Wildlife warden Naga Sathish Gidijala told TOI that a large number of spotted deer and blackbucks have been killed in the cyclone.

“However, the exact numbers are not known immediately, as the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary has got cut off from the rest of the area. Moreover, there is no power supply and trees have fallen on several roads, due to which the area has become inaccessible,” he said.

I have ordered relief measures in a war-footing manner: CM Palaniswami

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday took stock of the situation in Tamil Nadu, where severe cyclonic storm Gaja has battered coastal areas leaving 11 dead so far, and assured CM EK Palaniswami of all possible Central assistance.

Tamil Nadu: Families in Agasthiyampalli, Vedaranyam allege that they are still awaiting help for past 24 hours. Infants and children were not provided with food and water during the cyclonic storm.

he Tamil Nadu government on Friday alleged that the Centre had not sanctioned funds sought by it in the wake of natural disasters such as cyclones, saying this was the case with both the NDA dispensation and its predecessor, the UPA.

I am saddened to hear the report of the death of 13 people due to cyclone Gaja: Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami

Railway junction in Rameshwaram bears a deserted look

No fisherman was stranded at sea in the wake of cyclone Gaja as the fisheries ministry had taken necessary measures on a war footing to ensure the safety of fisher folks and protect their boats and equipment, Tamil Nadu minister D Jayakumar said on Friday.

Theni district received 29.23 mm average rainfall from Friday morning to evening

Velankanni basilica bears a deserted look due to cyclone Gaja.