'Cyclone Gaja may become marginally severe storm within next 24 hours'

National Weather Forecasting head K Sathi Devi on Tuesday said that there is a possibility of Gaja becoming a marginally severe cyclonic storm.

"At present, Gaja Cyclone is maintaining the intensity of a cyclonic storm. However, there is a slight possibility of it becoming a marginal severe cyclonic storm. We are expecting it to happen within the next 24 hours".

She also added that extremely heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, "From tomorrow evening, there may be an increase in isolated heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. On November 15, extremely heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu".

Chennai's meteorological department Director S Balachandran warned fishermen not to venture into the sea till November 15. Balachandran said, "Cyclone Gaja is lying about 790 kilometres northeast of Nagapattinam. It is expected to move in south-southwest direction and cross between Pamban and Cuddalore by the afternoon of November 15. As the system crosses from some districts, wind speed of 80 to 90 km/hr is expected to blow over this region. (In) Few places, heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected. The fishermen are advised not to enter sea till 15thNovember".

Heavy rainfall is expected to hit north coastal Tamil Nadu from the evening of November 14 and is likely to continue till November 16. South Tamil Nadu will also experience heavy rainfall on November 15, and isolated areas to experience rainfall on November 16. Heavy rainfall is also expected in the south coastal region of Andhra Pradesh during the course of three days, from November 14 evening to November 16. Kerala will also receive rainfall on November 15 and 16, the Indian Meteorological Department has said.

In the wake of the cyclonic situation, a red alert has been issued for the administration in parts of Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality.