Cyclone Gaja may intensify in Tamil Nadu, south Andhra in 24 hours

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cross the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15, regional weather office in Chennai said on Sunday, November 11.

Cyclone, 'Gaja', which lay around 860 km northeast of Chennai and moving at a speed of 12 kmph is likely to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' within the next 24 hours, a bulletin issued at 4 PM said.

Gales reaching 80-90 kms per hour was likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters, Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran said coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu would experience moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall in isolated places from the night of November 14.

"On November 15, many places will receive moderate rainfall and isolated places will get heavy rainfall."

The Indian meteorological department however said the storm is likely to weaken gradually while crossing towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts as a 'cyclonic storm' during forenoon of November 15.

Listing out measures taken to face the cyclone, Revenue Administration Commissioner K Satyagopal told reporters in Tirunelveli that medical teams were on stand by in all districts.