Chennai, Nov 16: The Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Gaja, which has caused extensive damages in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts while crossing the coast early on Friday, has so far claimed 23 lives, including 20 in the Central districts of Tamil Nadu.
Reports received here said while ten people were killed in cyclone and rain-related incidents in Central districts of Thanjavur, four deaths were reported in Tiruvarur, three in Pudukkottai, two in Trichy and one in Nagapattinam, two deaths were reported in Cuddalore and one in Tiruvannamalai.
The toll increased after Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami informed in Salem that as many as 11 people have died due to the cyclone.
He also said the government will provide Rs.10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. He also said State ministers are camping in various parts of the cyclone-affected areas to oversee the relief operations.
He also directed the Electricity, Disaster Management and PWD department authorities to take up relief and rehabilitation works on a war footing in the affected districts.
Talking to reporters at Omalur in Salem, Mr Palaniswami said the cyclone, which was accompanied by gusty winds that touched 110 kmph, has caused vast destruction and devastation in Tiruvarur, nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and Cuddalore districts and has asked the authorities to estimate the damages caused by the calamity.
Stating that he had received reports of death of 11 people so far in cyclone and rain-related incidents from districts, he said a solatium of Rs ten lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those killed, Rs one lakh to those who sustained serious injuries and Rs 25,000 to those who suffered simple injuries.
He also promised relief to fishermen after examining the damages caused to their belongings.
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