Cyclone Gaja live updates: Eye of storm expected to touch land in one hour, says Chennai MET

In view of the cyclonic storm Gaja, the Navy, NDRF, SDRF and other agencies are on standby to carry out relief and rescue operations.

CHENNAI: Cyclonic storm is set to make landfall between Cuddalore and Pamban on Thursday evening bringing heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

'Gaja' that lay over southwest and adjoining southeast and west central Bay of Bengal is about 550 km northeast of Nagapattinam and is very likely to cross the coast between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday evening or night with a wind speed gusting upto 100 kmph, the Met office said.

IMD further warned of 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall at most places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai. 

In view of the IMD warning regarding the cyclonic storm Gaja, the Indian Navy, NDRF, SDRF and other agencies are on standby to carry out relief and rescue operations. 

Additionally, aircraft from Naval Air Stations Dega, Rajali and Parundu and Water Jet FACs and Patrolling Boats from Naval Detachments in Ramnad and Nagapatnam have been warning the fishing vessels about the approaching storm and directing them to return to the harbour.

In an attempt to mitigate damage to properties and human lives, the state administration headed by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has planned to evacuate around 20,000 people residing on the coastal line and moving them to relief camps.

With the Tamil Nadu government already declaring that 30,500 rescue personnel were on standby, the district collectors of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram have declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Thursday.

All educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would remain closed on Thursday in view of the cyclone.

The IMD has also cautioned about major damage to thatched huts. "Rooftops may blow off," and communication and power lines may be affected it had said adding standing crops could also be hit besides water intrusion in low lying areas.

Apart from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh is also bracing for the impact of the cyclone which is likely to bring heavy downpour and strong winds to several parts of the region for the next couple of days. 

Click here to stay updated about the Cyclone Gaja:-

16 November 2018

00:05 IST

The Chennai MET department said that Cyclonme Gaja lies at about 80 km southeast of Karaikal and is "moving at rate of 16 km/hr". It is expected to cross bewteen Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam between 12 am to 3 am. It also said that within the next 1 hour, the eye of the cyclone is expected to touch the land. The wind speed is 100-120 km/hr.

#GajaCyclone now lies at about 80 km southeast of Karaikal, moving at rate of 16 km/r. It's expected to cross b/w Vedaranyam&Nagapattinam b/w 12 am-3 am. Within next 1 hr,eye of the cyclone is expected to touch the land. Winds speed is 100-120 km/hr: Balachandran,Chennai MET dept pic.twitter.com/FI265K5qr1

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

23:48 IST

Tamil Nadu minister MC Sampath said, "Chief Minister had instructed district administration, so they are on alert at all places. There has not been a single incident. Cuddalore district has seen so many cyclones, so our preparation is very good. There are 29,000 permanent cyclone shelters, 233 shelters made in schools, colleges & marriage halls. More than 5000 people are present in these shelters, food is being provided to them."

23:36 IST

People in Nagapattinam huddle up in Nagapattinam's relief camps ahead of landfall of Cyclone Gaja.

Tamil Nadu: Visuals from a relief camp in Nagapattinam. According to MET, #GajaCyclone is expected to make a landfall tonight. pic.twitter.com/8keKPONL20

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

23:36 IST

Tamil Nadu: Visuals of rainfall from Nagapattinam. According to MET, #GajaCyclone is expected to make a landfall today. pic.twitter.com/LzcNlndqQ7

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

19:36 IST

Cyclone 'Gaja' over Southwest Bay of Bengal lay centred at 5.30 pm over Southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 10.8°N and longitude 81.2°E, about 150 km east of Nagapattinam (Tamilnadu), said IMD. It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and cross Tamil Nadu coast around Nagapattinam on Thursday late evening with a wind speed of 80-90 gusting to 100 kmph.

17:00 IST

Heavy rainfall in Cuddalore as Cyclone Gaja set to make landfall soon.

Tamil Nadu: Visuals of heavy rainfall from Cuddalore. According to MET, #GajaCyclone is expected to make a landfall today. pic.twitter.com/BKpfYPbjA6

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

15:56 IST

The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, in a tweet, said as per the latest updates Gaja Cyclone is likely to have landfall between 8 pm and 11 pm tonight in all probability in Nagapattinam district, about 300 km from Chennai.

15:55 IST

The storm which lay over the Southwest Bay about 285 km from Chennai and 225 km east of 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, the Met office said.

15:35 IST

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.

13:13 IST

4 NDRF teams and 4 TNDRF teams positioned in Nagapattinam. We have 380 first responders to respond to the needs of people & 159 responders to protect animals. Collector has commenced efforts to evacuate people: Additional Secy, Revenue & Admin.

4 NDRF teams & 4 TNDRF teams positioned in Nagapattinam. We have 380 first responders to respond to the needs of people & 159 responders to protect animals. Collector has commenced efforts to evacuate people: Additional Secy, Revenue & Admin, Chennai #GajaCyclone pic.twitter.com/3xSlEK2Fkz

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

11:11 IST

Collector Cuddalore Thiru V Anbuselvan and Disaster Managment in-charge Gagandeep Singh Bedi hold review meeting. Cyclone Gaja is likely to make landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore this evening.

#TamilNadu: Collector Cuddalore Thiru. V. Anbuselvan and Disaster Managment Incharge Gagandeep Singh Bedi hold review meeting. #GajaCyclone is likely to make landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore today afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JabQiLepcq

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018

10:11 IST

Rain clouds spotted some 50 KM east of Chennai, claims Chennai Weather tracking #CycloneGaja.

10:08 IST

Rainfall has started in some places near Tamil Nadu's coast, claims some Twitter users tracking Cyclone Gaja.

09:58 IST

''Hourly updates associated with Cyclone 'Gaja’ are being shared with state-level disaster management authorities in TN & Puducherry for planning and coordinating emergency response actions in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Karaikal districts: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan

Hourly updates associated with #cyclone ‘#Gaja’ are being shared with state level disaster management authorities in #TN & #Puducherry for planning and coordinating emergency response actions in Cuddalore,Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram,Karaikal districts. @IMDb #GajaCycloneUpdate

— Dr. Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) November 14, 2018

09:56 IST

Anna university exams scheduled for today postponed. Date to be announced later. 

09:52 IST

Cyclone Gaja lying 370 km SE of Chennai and 370 km NE of Nagapattinam and likely to have landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore on the evening of November 15 with the wind speed of 80-90 gusting to 100 kmph, reports ANI.

08:03 IST

Apart from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh is also bracing for the impact of the cyclone which is likely to bring heavy downpour and strong winds to several parts of the region for the next couple of days.  

08:02 IST

The IMD has also cautioned about major damage to thatched huts. "Rooftops may blow off," and communication and power lines may be affected, it had said adding standing crops could also be hit besides water intrusion in low lying areas.

08:01 IST

Fishermen in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu have been warned not to venture in deep sea in view of Cyclone Gaja. 

08:00 IST

School and colleges have been closed in Tamil Nadi in view of Cyclone Gaja.

07:59 IST

At least nine teams of NDRF are on standby in view of Cyclone Gaja.

07:58 IST

A high alert has been sounded in Tamil Nadu in view of Cyclone Gaja.  

07:57 IST

IMD has warned of 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall at most places over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Cuddalore, Nagappattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai.  

07:56 IST

Here are some visuals from Silver Beach in Cuddalore. Gaja Cyclone is likely to make landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore Thursday evening.

Tamil Nadu: Latest visuals from Silver Beach in Cuddalore. #GajaCyclone is likely to make landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore today afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ME9UA1k3Cr

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2018