Chennai sources stated that the cyclonic storm 'Gaja' is set to make landfall between Cuddalore and Pamban today evening bringing heavy rainfall to Tamilnadu. Accordingly over 30,000 rescue personnel have been kept on standby by the state government. District collectors of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram have declared a holiday for schools and colleges today.
Meanwhile all educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would remain closed tomorrow in view of the cyclone. As per report Chief Minister K Palanisamy has also planned to evacuate around 20,000 people living on the coastal line and moving them to relief camps. Furthermore the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed eight teams in coastal areas.
A Navy official said “The Indian Navy was also on Wednesday put on high alert in view of the cyclone, where two Indian Naval ships Ranvir and Khanjar are standing by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid and distress relief”. Moreover the official also said helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation besides water intrusion in low lying areas.