Cyclone Gaja

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Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Gaja
Gaja 2018-11-15 0515Z.jpg
Cyclone Gaja nearing South India on November 15

On November 5, a low-pressure system formed over the Gulf of Thailand. The system crossed through Southern Thailand and the Malay Peninsula on November 8. The next day, it crossed into the Andaman Sea and lingered there, organizing further throughout the day and intensified into a depression over the Bay of Bengal on November 10. The next day, the system was designated by the IMD as BOB 09. Soon after, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA).

At 00:00 UTC on November 11, the deep depression strengthened into a cyclonic storm, and was given the name Gaja by the IMD. After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days, it made landfall at Vedaranyam near Nagapattinam in southern India, early on November 16, as a very severe cyclonic storm. Afterward, Gaja passed through Vedaranyam, Voimedu, Muthupet, Pattukkottai, Adirampattinam, and Mallipattinam on the same day. The storm survived crossing over into the Arabian Sea later that day and continued moving westward; however, it degenerated into a remnant low in hostile conditions only a few days later, on November 19. A couple of days later, early on November 22, the storm's remnants dissipated near Socotra.

Preparation, impacts and aftermath

Due to the possibility of adverse effects in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, early steps were taken by the state governments. About 80,000 were evacuated to 470 relief camps from the districts which were vulnerable to the cyclone in Tamil Nadu. [1] Holidays were also announced in the coastal districts of the Cauvery delta region in Tamil Nadu as well as Puducherry. [2] People were advised not to come out of the house, as the cyclone caused high winds. Preventative measures were explained through all media. [3]

At the time of landfall of the cyclone, heavy winds of about 175–180 km/h speed were experienced. The highest wind gust was recorded in Adhirampattinam at 181 km/h, and Muthupet recorded a wind gust of 180 km/h. Regions of Karaikal and Nagapattinam also experienced 100 km/h winds. The affected areas were the districts of Nagappattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Karaikal, Trichy and Ramanathapuram.[ citation needed ] About 86 thousand electric poles, eight hundred transformers, two hundred electricity substations, and 5 thousand boats were destroyed by the cyclone. Thousands of birds and livestock died due to the cyclone. [4] About 18 thousand hectares of coconut trees were damaged, mostly uprooted. 56 thousand hectares of crops and trees were destroyed due to the cyclone. [5] 52 people died, mostly in the districts of Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Nagapattinam. [6]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Gaja wreaks havoc in T.N." The Hindu. 2018-11-17. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  2. ↑ "Cyclone Gaja likely to hit TN on Thursday evening; holiday declared for schools in some districts and 16 trains cancelled – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  3. ↑ "Cyclone Gaja: TN government braces up itself for the calamity". India Today. November 16, 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  4. ↑ "Donations pour in for TN in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja". 21 November 2018.
  5. ↑ Revathy, L. N.; Kumar, Sajeev. "When perennial crops fall prey to nature's fury..." businessline. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  6. ↑ Jesudasan, Dennis (December 11, 2018). "Cyclone death toll revised from 63 to 52". The Hindu . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
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