CleanupBot II at 22:55, 13 August 2023

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{{distinguish|Cyclone Raja}}
{{update|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox tropical cyclone
| Name = Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Gaja
| Type = tropical cyclone
| Basin = NIO
| Year = 2018
| Image location = Gaja 2018-11-15 0515Z.jpg
| Image name = Cyclone Gaja nearing [[South India]] on November 15
| Formed = November 10, 2018
| Dissipated = November 19, 2018
| Remnant low = November 20
| 3-min winds = 70
| 1-min winds = 75
| Pressure = 976
| Fatalities = 45 total
| Damages = 775
| Areas = Southern [[Vietnam]], [[Malay Peninsula]], [[Andaman Islands]], [[Sri Lanka]], Southern India ([[Tamil Nadu]], [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]])
| Hurricane season = [[2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
}}
'''Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Gaja''' was the sixth named cyclone of the [[2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]], after Cyclones [[Cyclone Sagar|Sagar]], [[Cyclone Mekunu|Mekunu]], [[Cyclonic Storm Daye (2018)|Daye]], [[Cyclone Luban|Luban]], and [[Cyclone Titli|Titli]]. Forming on November 5 as a low-pressure system over the [[Gulf of Thailand]], the system crossed through [[Southern Thailand]] and the [[Malay Peninsula]] and eventually crossed into the [[Andaman Sea]]. The weak system intensified into a depression over the [[Bay of Bengal]] on November 10 and further intensified to a cyclonic storm on November 11, being classified 'Gaja'. After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days in the [[Bay of Bengal]], Gaja made landfall in [[South India]], shifted through [[Vedaranyam]], [[Thiruthuraipoondi]], [[Muthupet]], [[Pudukkottai]], [[Adirampattinam]], [[Pattukkottai]] and [[Peravurani]]. The storm survived its crossing into the [[Arabian Sea]]; however, it dissipated in hostile conditions only a few days later. 45 people were killed by the storm. 8 people were killed in the town of Pattukottai alone. Gaja had severe impacts in [[South India]], particularly in [[Tamil Nadu]]. After Cyclone Gaja, Tamil Nadu sought Rs 15,000 crore from [[Indian Central Government|Indian central government]] to rebuild.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Gaja 2018 track.png}}
On November 5, a low-pressure system formed over the [[Gulf of Thailand]]. The system crossed through [[Southern Thailand]] and the [[Malay Peninsula]] on November 8. The next day, it crossed into the [[Andaman Sea]] and lingered there, organizing further throughout the day and intensified into a depression over the [[Bay of Bengal]] on November 10. The next day, the system was designated by the IMD as BOB 09. Soon after, the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) issued a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]] (TCFA).

At 00:00 UTC on November 11, the deep depression strengthened into a cyclonic storm, and was given the name ''Gaja'' by the IMD. After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days, it made landfall near [[Nagapattinam]] in southern India, early on November 16 as a Very severe cyclonic storm. Afterward, [[Gaja]] passed through [[Vedaranyam]], [[Voimedu]], [[Muthupet]], [[Pattukkottai|Pattukotai]], [[Adirampattinam]], and [[Mallipattinam]], on the same day. The storm survived crossing over into the [[Arabian Sea]] later that day and continued moving westward; however, it degenerated into a remnant low in hostile conditions only several days later, on November 20. Late on the next day, the storm's remnants dissipated near [[Socotra]].

==Preparation, impacts and aftermath==
Due to the possibility of adverse effects in the coastal regions of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], early steps were taken by the state governments. About 80,000 were evacuated to 470 relief camps from the districts which were vulnerable to the cyclone in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gaja-wreaks-havoc-in-tn/article25521755.ece|title=Gaja wreaks havoc in T.N.|date=2018-11-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-05|others=Special Correspondent|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Holidays were also announced in the coastal districts of the [[Cauvery delta|Cauvery delta region]] in Tamil Nadu as well as Puducherry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/cyclone-gaja-likely-to-hit-tn-on-thursday-evening-holiday-declared-for-schools-in-some-districts-and-16-trains-cancelled/articleshow/66620817.cms|title=Cyclone Gaja likely to hit TN on Thursday evening; holiday declared for schools in some districts and 16 trains cancelled – Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref> People were advised not to come out of the house, as the cyclone caused high winds. Preventative measures were explained through all media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/cyclone-gaja-tn-government-braced-up-itself-much-before-the-calamity-1389997-2018-11-16|title=Cyclone Gaja: TN government braces up itself for the calamity|last=DelhiNovember 16|first=IndiaToday in New|last2=November 16|first2=2018UPDATED|website=India Today|access-date=2018-12-05|last3=Ist|first3=2018 18:07}}</ref>

At the time of landfall of the cyclone, heavy winds of about 175–180 km/h speed were experienced. The highest wind gust was recorded in [[Adirampattinam|Adhirampattinam]] at 181 km/h, and [[Muthupet]] recorded a wind gust of 180 km/h. Regions of Karaikal and Nagapattinam also experienced 100 km/h winds. The affected areas were the districts of [[Nagapattinam district|Nagappattinam]], [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]], [[Thiruvarur District|Thiruvarur]], [[Pudukkottai district|Pudukottai]], [[Karaikal district|Karaikal]], [[Tiruchirappalli district|Trichy]] and [[Ramanathapuram district|Ramanathapuram]]. About 100,000 electric poles, 1,000 transformers, 201 electricity substations and 5,000 boats were destroyed by the cyclone.<ref>https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/donations-pour-tn-aftermath-cyclone-gaja-91964</ref> Thousands of cattle and birds died due to the cyclone. 45 people died, mostly in the districts of Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Pudukottai. About 18,000 hectares of Coconut trees were damaged, mostly uprooted. Totally 56,000 hectares of crops and trees were destroyed due to the cyclone.
After that Relief works was carried out by state government and other NGOs, Especially [[Popular Front of India]], They have given Relief materials Worth 1.5 Crores For the Cyclone affected people in Delta region and they repairs 100 Houses in [[Muthupet]], [[Adirampattinam]], [[Madukkur]] and [[Nagapattinam]].
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/when-perennial-crops-fall-prey-to-natures-fury/article25540987.ece|title=When perennial crops fall prey to nature's fury...|last=Kumar|first=L. N. Revathy & V. Sajeev|website=@businessline|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Cyclone Vardah]]
* [[Cyclone Thane]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/mar/20/gaja-2nd-strongest-cyclone-since-1996-1953390.html'Gaja second strongest cyclone since 1996'] – The New Indian Express

{{2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaja}}
[[Category:2018 in India]]
[[Category:2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
[[Category:Very severe cyclonic storms]]
[[Category:October 2018 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in India]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2018]]

Cyclone Gaja - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 22:55, 13 August 2023