Cyclone Gaja claimed 13 lives in Tamil Nadu; 80,000 evacuated
Cyclone Gaja has been raging on for quite a few days recently. The cyclone had made a landfall near Nagapattinam. In the early hours of Friday, the cyclone ripped through many districts in Tamil Nadu. Cyclone Gaja claimed 13 lives. However, unconfirmed reports have stated that at least 30 people were killed in the storm-ravaged delta districts.
Almost all the deaths were reported to have occurred in areas that were designated as safe zones and not evacuated. The deaths were caused uprooted trees falling on houses and wall collapses. The worst hit districts were Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Cuddalore. Karaikal and Puducherry were also affected. The second largest salt-producing pans in the state, the salt pans of Vedaranyam was among the worst-hit regions.
The salt yield harvested and stocked near the pans were blown away in the winds that touched speeds of about 120 kilometres per hour. Officials are still unsure about the extent of the damage. The salt manufacturers have claimed that close to Rs 2 lakhs worth of produce was damaged. Property damage is one thing but the cyclone did not stop there. Cyclone Gaja claimed 13 lives too.
Power infrastructure in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai districts and Puducherry was also damaged. More than 12,000 electric poles were destroyed. 102 sub-stations were also damaged. Currently, the Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts are facing a complete blackout. The electricity department has said that it will take at least 2 days to restore power in the districts.
The government has launched rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the affected regions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Minister on Friday. He later tweeted, “Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Cyclone Gaja claimed 13 lives and Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami expressed his grief over the matter. He has announced Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the families of the dead.
