Cyclone Gaja causes widespread destruction in TN

As the cyclone Gaja ripped through Nagapattinam early Friday uprooting trees and sapping power lines,leaving a trail of destruction in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, the Indian navy two ships toassistance in relief operations.

Disaster relief operations are underway. Gaja kills over 30 and causes widespread destruction.

Three Indian Navy ships are on standby at Chennai, hwile INS Ranvir and Khanjar are at Vizag to augment relief efforts at short notice.

One helicopter sortie was flown from INS Parunu to assess the effect of Gaja damages in and around Ramanathapuram.

Residents cleared away fallen trees near the railway station in Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. Powerful winds felled trees,d estroyed homes and forced thousands to flee to safety. Over 80,000 people were evacuated from low lying areas.