INDIAN NAVY ON HIGH ALERT AS CYCLONE GAJA APPROACHES TAMIL NADU

The cyclonic storm 'Gaja' over the Bay of Bengal is set to make landfall between Cuddalore and Pamban today evening bringing heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu. In view of this, the Indian Navy has been put on high alert.

Navy officials said the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed a high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance as the cyclone is poised to cross the coast of the two states on Thursday evening.

According to reports in The Times of India, helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation.

“Two Indian Naval ships -- Ranvir and Khanjar -- are standing by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid and distress relief,” said a Navy official. The ships will have additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material on board, he added.

Stay tuned for further updates