CHENNAI: A day after Cyclone Gaja pummelled several central and coastal districts of Tamil Nadu , chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami confirmed the death of 33 people, including 20 men, 11 women and two children, so far in the storm. The CM also put the number of trees uprooted at 1.27 lakh, making Gaja’s impact even more severe than Vardah that ravaged Chennai in December 2016.“Rescue operations are being carried out in a big way and I will visit the affected people and places on Sunday,” the CM said in Salem. Palaniswami said senior IAS and IPS officials were camping in the affected areas and restoration works would be completed at the earliest. “About 150 electricity sub-stations have been damaged and 10,000 people are working to restore power supply,” he said.He maintained that the impact of cyclone was minimal as 82,000 people were evacuated to 471 relief centres well in advance.As of now, 1,77,500 people have been housed in over 351 camps, the chief minister said, adding food, and medical amenities were being provided to them by the government.About 703 temporary camps have also be set up through the health department for sheltering the affected. “We are also operating 435 mobile ambulances with doctors in all the flood and cyclone affected areas,” he said.The state government has sent its preliminary report to the home ministry on the disaster. “A preliminary report was sent to the home ministry on Friday, and minister Rajnath Singh had also inquired about the developments. The extent of damage of men and material has been conveyed to the ministry (for assistance),” said a senior official. Official sources confirmed to TOI that no financial assistance has been sought at this preliminary stage but a detailed assessment may result in state seeking funds from Centre.

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