2018 Cyclone Gaja

18.11.2018

Humanity Road activated its disaster desk on Thursday November 15, 2018 in advance of landfall of Cyclone Gaja in India. This situation report number 1 provides helpful links and situational information based on early indications in social media.

Cyclone Gaja, which made landfall near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam in the wee hours of November 16, has claimed 45 lives across the state, according to a statement released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. The cyclone, which went on to affect many other districts, including Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Dindigul and Trichy, created a huge loss of property. http://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/io0718.gif

  • Joint Typhoon Warning Center map http://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html

Shelters and Evacuation Centers

17 Nov

  • Around 2,49,083 people have been evacuated and housed in 493 cyclone evacuation shelters across the state. Around 200 people from Vizhundhamavadi village near Nagapattinam have resorted to a road blockade protesting lack of food supply in the relief camps. source

16 Nov

  • People were evacuated from low-lying areas and sheltered at over 300 relief centres in six districts including Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram and Tiruvarur, reported news agency PTI. Source

15 Nov

  • As of November 15, 2018 at 22:00 IST more than 6000 relief camps have been opened and eight rescue teams have been put in place. source

Health and Hospitals

Status of Hospitals

17 Nov

  • In order to help people with health issues, 372 medical camps and 1,014 mobile medical units have been set up in the affected regions. source
  • A lakh of people had benefited by medical camps to prevent epidemics in affected regions, source

Hospital Lists

Special Needs /Vulnerable Population

Status

Schools

Status of Schools

16 Nov

  • Schools and colleges will remain shut on Friday and offices and business establishments were asked to relieve employees early. The Anna University has postponed its exams. Source

Airports

Lists of Airports / Links

Railways

Status

Maritime / Shipping / Ports

Status

16 Nov

  • A dredger that was anchored in Karaikal port ran aground due to the strong winds on Friday, reported PTI. However, no casualties were reported. The dredger ‘Veera Prem’ belongs to Mumbai-based Mercator Ltd and was dragged for about 60 km from the port before it ran aground, officials told PTI. source

 

Useful Links

 

Port of Chennai

Communications

Status

Power / Fuel

Status

  • 17 Nov30,000 electricity poles have either got mangled or fallen. source105 substations (electricity distribution stations) have been affected. source10,000 personnel have been rushed to the affected areas to repair them. source16 Nov
    • Power supply was disconnected in Nagapattinam and in several other coastal regions in view of the cyclone’s landfall. Source
    • No major damage to electricity infrastructure was reported in Cuddalore. Source

Water Systems

Status

  • 17 Nov
    • Ten out of 26 Combined Drinking Water Schemes in coastal districts have been set right and people were being provided drinking water. source

Pictures / Videos

16 Nov

  • Video of rain and winds source
  • Pictures of damage power lines down and trees down source
  • Video of very rough sea condition prevails over Tamil Nadu coast. source

Rumor Control

  • Pamban bridge has been damaged by CycloneGaja don’t believe it source

Social Media

Hashtags #CycloneGaja, #GajaCyclone #GAJA #tamilnaduweatherman

Traditional Media / TV / Newspaper / Radio

TV

Newspaper

 

Radio

Animals in Disaster

Nov 17

    • The cyclone left 102 cattle and 633 goats dead all over Tamil Nadu. As a relief amount, the government will provide Rs 30,000 per cattle and Rs 3,000 per goat that died. source
    • Cattle, goats, and wild animals including deer, have died. source
    • Wildlife sanctuary surrounded by flood, fears that animals might have died Source

Volunteers

Alice, Amy, Brian, Cat, Chris, Crystal, Kirk, Mukesh