Tamil Nadu is bracing for Cyclone Gaja, expected to make a landfall on Thursday, in coastal areas. Schools and colleges in six coastal districts, including Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram, were closed by the administration.

The Tamil Nadu state disaster management authority, the cyclone was expected to make a landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday. Authorities are not taking chances and full preparations are on to meet any eventuality. Fisherfolk were issued warning not to venture out into the sea. Cyclone Gaja is expected to weaken after it hits the Tamil Nadu coast. But wind speeds of upto 100 kmph could be witnessed, because of which there could be damage to electricity infrastructure, trees and thatched houses.

The administration has made attempts to evacuate people to safer locations in camps, where provisions to look after hundreds have been reached.

According to met office, low lying areas in Nagapattinam, Thnajavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram are likely to witness storms as also Puducherry and Karaikkal.

Fishermen were asked to completely stop fishing operations till cyclone passes. For the present, till late on Thursday night, no fishermen should go out into the sea, a warning from the authorities said.