Cyclone Gaja death toll hits 33
Storm system left trail of destruction in many districts, damaging houses, huts and crops
The death toll due to cyclone Gaja, which hit Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts on Friday, has increased to 33, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters at Salem, about 350km from here, Palaniswami said that 20 men, 11 women, and 2 children had been killed as the cyclone crossed the Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam districts between 12.30am and 2.30am on Friday.
The cyclone left a trail of destruction in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts, damaging houses, huts and crops.
Palaniswami said huge numbers of livestock, poultry and deer had also perished while some 127,000 trees were uprooted by the strong winds that touched a maximum speed of about 120km/h, the chief minister added.
Palaniswami said supplies of water, milk and food were being distributed to people affected by the calamity. About 177,500 people are housed at 351 relief camps in affected areas. He added that about 30,000 electricity poles were broken, and 105 power substations affected. About 10,000 personnel have been sent to the affected areas to carry out repairs.
Meanwhile, actor Rajinikanth voiced his appreciation for the members of his Rajini Makkal Mandram for their work in providing relief to the cyclone-affected people.