Chennai, November 16: Two people died, while one injured after cyclone Gaja made landfall in Tamil Nadu. MC Sampath, State Minister said, "People who have lost their lives in the cyclone will be given ex-gratia by the state govt." The cyclone has moderately affected Cuddalore district of the state. Meanwhile, Disaster management officer-in-charge, Gagandeep Singh Bedi said that nothing major had happened as authorities were on high alert. Tamil Nadu Cyclone Alert: Gaja to Cross Pamban and Cuddalore Today, Schools and Colleges to Remain Closed

Taking precautionary steps to avoid any major tragedy, the Southern Railway has decided to cancel trains to and fro regions where the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert. The trains were cancelled as the cyclonic storm was predicted to make landfall in the wee hours of Friday. Passengers affected by the cancellation of the trains will be provided compensatory commutation by the Railways. According to reports, the cyclone's impact would considerably weaken in the coming 12 hours.

In the wake of the cyclone, schools and colleges are closed in various districts of the state. According to the IMD, the Gaja crossed between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam by 12.30 am, and 2.30 am. On Thursday, over 76,000 people were evacuated from low lying areas and housed in 289 relief centres in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Thiruvarur. The power supply was also disrupted in the state due to heavy rainfall strong winds.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2018 11:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).