Cyclone Gaja, rainfall pound Tamil Nadu; Indian navy pressed for disaster relief operation

Chennai : Indian Navy has been pressed into action for disaster relief operation post cyclone Gaja and rainfall pounded Tamil Nadu.

Two Indian Navy ships - Chetlat and Cheriam- have been diverted to Karaikal in Puducherry to render assistance to state authorities as required for disaster relief operations. Three Indian Navy ships, namely Darshak, Carnicobar, and Coradivh, are on standby at Chennai, while INS Ranvir and Khanjar are at Vizag to augment relief efforts at short notice, noted an official release from the Navy.

One helicopter sortie was flown from INS Parundu to assess the effect of Gaja damages in and around Ramanathapuram.

The Chief Minister E. Palaniswami confirmed life loss of 11 people and announced that the government will be providing Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those injured severely and Rs 25,000 to people who have suffered minor injuries.

Cyclone Gaja made landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam on Thursday evening and unleashed mayhem in several districts of the state including Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur.