GAJA Cyclone Passes by 11'o clock

 As cyclone Gaja is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Thursday night, extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 centimetres is likely to occur over the districts of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi, forecasted the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Gaja, which has been changing its pattern and direction over the last few days, intensified into a severe storm. While it was initially expected to hit the coast of Chennai, it has moved south west wards and will cross Tamil Nadu between Pamban and Cuddalore around Nagapattinam with a wind speed of 80-90 kilometre per hour (kmph) gusting to 100 kmph. Gaja is likely to cross Tamil Nadu between 8 pm and 11 pm.

It was earlier forecasted that the cyclone would cross the coast on Thursday afternoon.

Cyclone warning signal 10, which signifies that very severe cyclone is expected to cross was hoisted at the Nagapattinam port.

“Heavy to very heavy rain is also likely to occur over remaining districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” said the IMD bulletin.

The cyclone will also bring isolated rains to Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

People residing in low lying areas have been moved to shelters arranged by the government. Over 5,000 relief centres have been kept ready in all the 13 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu

. As per the advisory of the meteorological department fishing operations have remained suspended.