Hurricane Gaja kills 35 people and heavy rains are forecast for the next 24 hours

The storm left in its wake a trail of destruction uprooting trees, power poles and harmful crops. (Photo by Reuters)

At least 35 people were killed in the violent Hurricane Gaja storm that struck the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday. Some 82,000 people were evacuated before the hurricane landed between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam in the state. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast weather conditions in the region for the next 24 hours. The hurricane storm shifted westward into the interior of Tamil Nadu, causing heavy rains in the Tamil-Kerala border region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to the families of those who died as a result of Cyclone Gaja. Modi said that he had met with Tamil Nadu's Prime Minister, E Palanswamy, to take stock of the situation, and that he was assured that the officials were working to provide any necessary information. possible help.

Keep up with Cyclone Gaja LIVE updates

The storm uprooted 1,27,448 trees and damaged several utility poles and crops in the state. Districts like Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Cuddalore were the main victims of the cyclone. Many fishing boats drifted to Sri Lankan waters and the state government was striving to bring them back. It has been reported that 173 boats reached the coast of Lankan and at least 120 were damaged by the storm.

"Significant damage has been done to homes, electrical infrastructure, crops, boats and trees in Nagapattinam. We have mobilized a lot of mobile and static camps and chlorination is under way. More than 200 doctors and paramedics are present, "said Tamil Nadu's health secretary, quoted by ANI.

The National Disaster Management Authority estimates the number of cyclone Gaja victims at 35; 1,27,448 trees fell during Cyclone Gaja.

– AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) November 17, 2018

Indian Navy personnel joined state authorities, the NDRF and the civilian population to clean public buildings and roads in Nagapattinam. Two warships, Chetlat and Cheriyam, loaded with relief supplies, also arrived in Karaikal. On the other hand, the road Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi in the state, which was closed for three days because of Gaja, reopened early Saturday morning.

CM announced financial aid of 10 lakh Rs to the families of those who died in the hurricane. (SHABBIR AHMED / via REUTERS THIS PICTURE WAS SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY MANDATORY CREDIT NO RESALE NO ARCHIVES)

Tamil Nadu, CM Palaniswami, provided early help to the population by asking them not to panic. He announced a financial aid of 10 lakh Rs to the families of the deceased. After a comprehensive assessment of the damage, the state government will seek the assistance of the center. Meanwhile, the DMK leader, Mr. Stalin, appreciated the efforts of the state disaster management team and the relief measures taken by the state government.

Cyclone Gaja is the second cyclone to hit the coastal area in a month after Cyclone Titli that ravaged the cities of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on October 11, causing 70 deaths.

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