The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that cyclonic storm 'Gaja' has crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam.
"The Gaja Cyclone over southwest Bay of Bengal moved further west-southwestwards and crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam during 0030 to 0230 hours IST today, November 16," the IMD said on Friday.
The department further said that the severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours. "Though the centre of cyclone lies over land, the rear sector of eyewall is still over the sea. It will take about an hour to move over land," it added.
During Cyclone Gaja's landfall, heavy rain lashed Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur, uprooting trees in several regions.
In the wake of the cyclonic situation, a red alert was issued for the administration in parts of Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality.
The Indian Navy has also been put on alert for relief efforts. Two Indian Naval ships - Ranvir and Khanjar - are on standby to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, and logistic support, including the provision of medical aid.
In an attempt to mitigate damage to properties and human lives, the state administration has evacuated around 20,000 people residing on along the coastal line and moved them to relief camps.
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.
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