After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days in the Bay of Bengal, Gaja made landfall in South India on November 16, moved westward through Vedaranyam, Thiruthuraipoondi, Mannargudi, Muthupet, Pudukkottai, Adirampattinam, Pattukkottai, and Peravurani.

The storm survived its crossing into the Arabian Sea; however, it degenerated into a remnant low in hostile conditions only a few days later, before dissipating early on November 22.

After Cyclone Gaja, Tamil Nadu sought Rs 15,000 crore from Indian central government to rebuild.

Soon after, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA).

After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days, it made landfall at Vedaranyam near Nagapattinam in southern India, early on November 16, as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Due to the possibility of adverse effects in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, early steps were taken by the state governments.