The toll in cyclone Gaja has touched 45, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday and appealed to leaders of all political parties to take part in the relief activities.

He said the relief operations were going on a war footing in the districts affected by the cyclonic storm and state ministers have been deployed in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukottai to monitor it.

The state government is collecting details about areas which have been badly affected by the cyclone, Mr Palaniswami told reporters.

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“In villages, lots of trees and standing crops have been damaged, affecting the livelihood of farmers. The extent of damage is being evaluated. Till now, 45 people have lost their lives due to cyclone,” the chief minister said.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a solatium of Rs. 10 lakh to family of each of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund (CMPRF). Those with severe injuries would be provided with Rs. one lakh each while those whose injuries are not grievous in nature would get Rs. 25,000 compensation.

Mr Palaniswami said 1.7 lakh trees have been uprooted, 735 cattle died, 1.17 lakh houses damaged and 88,102 hectare agricultural land has been affected in coastal districts.

Nearly 2.50 lakh people were provided accommodation in 483 relief camps. Besides, 1,014 mobile medical vans have been set up and so far one lakh people in affected areas have benefited from it, the chief minister said.

While everyone creating awareness all over the state about the affected areas and the sufferings faced by its people, Musician turned actor G.V Prakash Kumar’s meme won many people’s heart and reaching the most people.

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One of the Cinema Celebrity who never missed out to raise his voice for the issues that occurs in Tamilnadu now came forward in a creative way to reach more people. His meme signifies how crucial it is to face such pain of losing the trees and plants which they grown for more than 30 years.

“Losing our cars and bikes in a city without electricity supply is not destruction, When we lose the trees and plants which we grown for more than 30 years like our own child is the real destruction” said the meme with heart breaking pictures in it.

Check out his post here :

#savedelta #BounceBackDelta pic.twitter.com/Fcpj7AwRsV

— G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) November 18, 2018

This post of him won so many hearts and many complimented G.V for making efforts to reach his audience :

எனக்கு தெரிந்து தமிழர்களின் முக்கியமான பிரச்சனைகளுக்கு முதல் ஆளாக குரல் கொடுப்பதும், உதவி செய்வதும், அதை மற்றவர்களுக்கு தெரியபடுத்துவதும் ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் குமார் அண்ணன் தான். மிக்க நன்றி அண்ணா 🙏

— Sheikboss (@sheikbarithasa) November 18, 2018

வர்தா புயலுக்கு பிறகு சென்னைக்கு கிடைத்த கவனம், கஜாவுக்கு பின் டெல்டா மாவட்டங்களுக்கு கிடைக்கவில்லை என்பதே உண்மை.

சோறு போடும் விவசாயிகளை காப்போம், plz #SaveDelta

— Thalapathy Vijay (@shameel_offl) November 18, 2018

Share max pic.twitter.com/DF3LuTpJxH

— Sarath Ak (@sarath24400400) November 18, 2018

pic.twitter.com/o8MzFdqQWm

— karambayam Saravanan (@SaaraKumaran) November 18, 2018

Super na.. Cine ma thuraila nethula irunthu tweet podra ore manithar neenga than..super supporting..and vivek anna..avlothan..

— V Note (@VNote8) November 18, 2018

Gv nanba…. Kannu kalanguthu…. Enga form laiyum neraiya pochu nanba Iam from middle class family… Karur

— Thalapathy NaVeen (@naveennave1310) November 18, 2018

pic.twitter.com/efmLnzkR80

— Arun Priyan (@ArunPriyan15) November 18, 2018

இத தமிழில் ஒரு மெமி போடுங்க ஆங்கிலம் மத்தவர்களுக்கு புரியும் படி ஒரு மெமி போட்டு விடுங்கள்

— Rajesh_Gramatthan (@gramatthan) November 18, 2018

Super bro tamilan nu solrathuku ungaluku Mattum than thaguthi irukku…..

— Abisheik (@Abisheikas) November 18, 2018

Noting that 39,938 electric poles and 347 transformers were damaged in the affected districts, he said 12,532 men of the state electricity board have been dispatched to take up the repair work.

Responding to a question, Mr Palaniswami urged all political leaders and people to extend a helping hand in this time of need.

“It is a natural calamity. There should not be any differences like opposition, ruling party in taking up relief operations. I appeal to everyone to help the affected people,” he said.

Asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Tamil Nadu, he said the state government has informed the Centre about the damage caused by the cyclone.

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On whether the government would seek the Army’s assistance, Mr Palaniswami said, “As of now officials and ministers have been directed to visit the affected places. If required we will seek assistance from the Centre.”

“Currently, were are facing challenges in removing uprooted trees and replacing the damaged electricity poles,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visited Nagapattinam and said relief works in affected districts were going on a war footing and normalcy would be restored soon.