Cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ is likely to strike the Tamil Nadu coast by Thursday afternoon, bringing heavy rainfall in a few places across seven districts with gale winds.

There has been a slight shift in the duration of landfall as the cyclone had remained stagnant for 24 hours, said Meteorological Department officials.

On Tuesday evening, ‘Gaja’ lay over west-central and adjoining east-central and south Bay of Bengal, about 660 km east-northeast of Chennai and 760 km east-northeast of Nagapattinam. It is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore on Thursday.

S. Balachandran, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said the system had slowed down as it was caught between two anti-cyclonic circulations in the upper air level. Now, it has picked up pace and is moving at a speed of 12 km per hour. It is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rain in Cuddalore, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Pudukottai on Thursday. One or two places may get extremely heavy rain of over 24 cm during this period. It may reduce gradually after Friday.

Chennai will experience moderate rain between November 14 and 17 due to the impact of the system that will move towards Arabian Sea, he said.

After it makes a landfall, the system’s remnant is likely to emerge as a low pressure area over southeast Arabian Sea around November 17. However, it is too early to point out the rainfall region, according to officials.

The IMD has warned of damage in the seven districts when the landfall happens. Seawater intrusion may occur to a height of 1 metre. While coastal dwellers have been asked to move to safer places, other residents in the affected areas are advised to remain indoors. Fishermen warned to stay ashore till November 15.