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Gaja may weaken at landfall but will bring heavy rain: Met
Even as the State government gears up for the impact of the cyclonic storm Gaja, expected to cross between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday, the Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in the coastal districts, with winds blowing at a speed of 80-100 kmph when it makes landfall.
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Chennai
The weather system, while moving west-southwestwards, is likely to weaken gradually and cross as a cyclonic storm on Thursday afternoon.
The fishermen have been told not to venture into the central parts of South and Central Bay of Bengal for the next two days. Further, those in the deep sea have been advised to return to the shore immediately.
Although Chennai will have no direct effect of the cyclone, weatherman expect a moderate rainfall in the city for the next three days. The maximum and minimum temperature in the city is expected to hover around 31 and 25 degrees Celsius respectively.
“The city will not have any direct impact of Gaja. However, moderate rains are expected between November 15 and 17. Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Karaikal, Thoothukudi and Tiruvarur districts will receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places. Also, winds will be blowing at a speed of 80-100 kmph in these districts on November 15,” said S Balachandran, the Deputy Director General of Meteorology.
12 disaster response teams kept on standby: Minister
As many as 12 teams of State and National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed in four coastal districts, including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhayakumar told DT Next on Tuesday.
Appealing to the people not to panic about the cyclone, Udhayakumar said the State Government has taken all precautionary measures. “While the State Disaster Response Force personnel will be based in Chennai, NDRF teams comprising 25 members have been dispatched to Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram,” he said.
“The Meteorological Department in a bulletin has said the cyclonic storm Gaja is inching closer towards TN coast at a speed of 5 kmph and currently 750 km away from Chennai. It is likely to cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore by Thursday. We are prepared for the cyclone and heavy rainfall,” the minister said.
Detailing the measures taken by his department, Udhayakumar said: “We have sourced 1,618 earthmovers, 1,454 wood cutters, 1,032 boats, 1,441 generators and 1,663 water pumps.” Besides, as many as 1,125 swimmers, 657 snake catchers, 236 medical teams and 368 mobile medical teams are ready, he added.
When contacted, Commissioner of Revenue Administration (CRA) K Sathyagopal said: “The Public Works Department are monitoring the reservoir levels and same is shared with the government. Noon meal centres, sand bags and fishermen with boats are ready, while inter-zonal teams have been directed to execute the flood mitigation plan prepared earlier.”
Although there is a apprehension over the cyclone’s impact among the people, he said the State badly needs heavy spells of rains. “The rainfall deficit has increased across Tamil Nadu since October. We need water for irrigation and drinking water purpose,” the CRA added.
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