Cyclone Gaja moves westwards, likely to weaken by Thursday

New Delhi [India], Nov 13 (ANI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that cyclonic storm Gaja, which was over west-central and adjoining East central and South Bay of Bengal, moved westwards during the last six hours.
The storm laid centred at 5:30 am on Tuesday. While moving west­southwestwards, it is likely to weaken gradually and cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban as a 'cyclonic storm' during the forenoon of November 15, the IMD said.
Earlier, the weather agency, in a statement, said that cyclone Gaja would 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 would 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 on 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," IMD deputy director S Balachandran told reporters on Monday.
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 parts of Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality. (ANI)