Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday as Cyclone Gaja is all set to make landfall in south Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the IMD has warned.
Southern districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki are likely to get heavy rain on Thursday. Districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Idukki will see widespread rain on Friday.
TN braces for storm
The Met office had warned storm surge of about 1.0 metres likely to inundate low-lying areas of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district of Puducherry at the time of landfall.
A 30,500-strong rescue team is on standby and the district collectors of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Ramanathapuram have declared holiday for schools and colleges on Thursday.
All educational institutions in Puducherry and Karaikal regions would also remain closed.
Officials said dams, lakes and rivers channels were being monitored continuously.
Navy officials said the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has put on alert.
"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.
He said these ships will have additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material on board.
The official said helicopters, Dornier aircraft and one P8I aircraft are on standby to undertake reconnaissance, rescue and casualty evacuation.
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