Chief Minister Edapaddi K.Palaniswami on Friday expressed grief over the death of 20 people in the Cyclone Gaja that swept through south coastal Tamil Nadu.

He told reporters at Salem that precautionary steps taken by tje government helped reduce the death toll. The CM announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

For those who are severely injured a sum of Rs.100,000 will be paid and for those who suffered minor injuries Rs.25,000 will be paid.

“About 82,000 people living in low lying areas have been housed in 471 relief centres. The relief centres have been set up in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Thiruvarur on Thursday itself.

The met has forecast rains till Friday evening. The government made preparations in time to meet the disaster. Some 7000 electricity poles have been kept ready so that the damaged ones could be replaced.

Palaniswami said trees that had fallen on the roads are being on priority basis to resume traffic.

Fisheries department will estimate losses incurred by the fishing community.

“Once the damage is estimated funds will be sought from the central government,” he said.

The high speed wind during the cyclone has damaged the roof sheets of Nagapattinam railway station.

Speaking to the media, R.B. Udhyakumar, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, said the extent of damages will be known once the wind speed gets reduced.