Chennai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) here on Monday said that the cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ is expected to cross the area between Chennai and Nagapattinam during the forenoon of November 15, during which the sea will be ‘very rough’.
Speaking to media persons, IMD deputy director S Balachandran said, “Cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ now lies at about 820 km east-northeast of Nagapattinam. It is expected to cross between Chennai and Nagapattinam during the forenoon of November 15. The sea will be very rough, and fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till November 15.”
A statement released by the IMD said that cyclone ‘Gaja’ will further intensify in the next 24 hours, and is likely to weaken gradually.
“It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and maintain the intensity during subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter, while moving west-southwestwards, it is likely to weaken gradually and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai as a cyclonic storm during November 15 forenoon,” read the statement.
The districts that will be affected due to the cyclonic storm are Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Puducherry, and Vizhuppuram. During that time, the speed of wind in the affected areas is expected to be in the range of around 80-90 km per hour and can go up to 100 km per hour.
The cyclone would reach at Andhra Pradesh- Tamil Nadu border at the midnight of November 14. “As per the current status between November 14 midnight to November 15 till the system crosses districts, the speed of the wind will be around 80- 90 km per hour, and at that 100 km per hour is expected,” added the IMD deputy director.
Heavy rainfall is expected to hit north coastal Tamil Nadu from the evening of November 14 and is likely to continue till November 16. South Tamil Nadu will also experience heavy rainfall on November 15, and isolated areas to experience rainfall on November 16. Heavy rainfall is also expected in the south coastal region of Andhra Pradesh during the course of three days, that is, from the evening of November 14 to November 16. Kerala will also receive rainfall on November 15 and 16, the IMD has said.
In the wake of the cyclonic situation, a red alert has been issued for the administration in Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality. “However, the alert is not for the entire state,” said Balachandran, adding that regular updates and information regarding the situation have been given to the government.
The IMD on Sunday had said that the cyclonic storm is likely to move west-northwestwards during the next 36 hours and west-southwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh during the subsequent 48 hours.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]