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

2,123 persons evacuated and taken to 18 rescue shelters in Ramanathapuram district

Holiday announced for schools and colleges in Karur also

Trees uprooted and houses damaged in Nagapattinam in the overnight rainfall and strong winds which hit the town.

The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours, the IMD said.

According to Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority, as many as 76,290 people were evacuated from low lying areas and sheltered at over 300 relief centres in six districts including Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tiruvarur.

Schools in Madurai, Trichy, Erode and Dindigul districts are also closed.

Satellite picture of cyclone Gaja

Holiday for schools and colleges in Nagai, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai districts. Ariyalur collector also announces holiday for schools and colleges today.

Heavy rain lashes in Trichy, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai along with strong wind.

The state government has announced helpline numbers 1070 (state-level) and 1077 (districts) for those who may need assistance.

Four teams each of National Disaster Response Force personnel have been already deployed in Nagapattinam district while two teams of the state disaster response force in Cuddalore district, officials said Thursday. (PTI)

Rainfall report in (mm) 16.11.2018 (upto 3:00am) 1.Nagapattinam - 48.40 2.Thirupoondi - 30.40 3.Talainayar - 26.80 4.Vedaranyam - 27.00 5.Mayiladuthurai- 45.00 6.Sirkali - 31.60 7.Kollidam - 33.60 8.Manalmedu - 19.80 9.Tharangambadi- 10.50 Total - 273.10 Average- 30.34

Indian Met department's update on cyclone Gaja

Maximum wind (time of occurrence) reported during landfall are as follows: Atirampattinam-111 kmph (0230 IST), Nagapattinam-100 kmph (0230 IST) and Karaikal-92 kmph (0130 IST).

The cyclone is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during next six hours: IMD

The cyclonic storm Gaja moves further west-southwestwards and crosses Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam, says Indian MeT department.

A statement from the Trichy division said that the Karaikal-Trichy passenger is partially cancelled between Karaikal-Tiruvarur; Karaikal-KSR Bengaluru passenger is partially cancelled between Karaikal-Mayiladuthurai; Tiruppadripuliyur-Trichy passenger is partially cancelled between Tiruppadripuliyur-Neyveli and Mannargudi - Mayiladuthurai-Mannargudi passenger has been cancelled for Friday.