The cyclone Gaja over the South West Bay of Bengal is set to cross the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu coast Thursday evening, officials said.

According to Meteorological Department officials, the cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Cuddalore district and Pamban in Ramanathapuram district, with a wind speed of 80-90 km per hour, and gusting up to 100 km per hour and make a landfall in Nagapattinam district, 303 km south of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

"As per latest updates Gaja cyclone is likely to have landfall between 8:00 p.m. local time and 11 p.m. local time today in all probability in Nagapattinam district," an official with the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority said.

"Government of Tamil Nadu has appealed to private employers in coastal districts of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thiruvar, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram to permit their employees to leave early so that they can reach their homes safe before 4:00 p.m. local time," the official said.

Parts of coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to get widespread rainfall as cyclone Gaja comes closer to the Tamil Nadu coast.

The local administration has ordered closure of educational institutions in the vulnerable districts.

"Educational institutions will remain closed in six districts that are more susceptible to the cyclone, as announced by the Collectors. Several Universities and polytechnics have rescheduled their examinations today," the official said.

"People in these districts have been asked to stay indoors when the cyclone crosses and fishermen have anchored their boats as the sea is rough," the official said.

Authorities have nominated senior officers to oversee relief measures in five of the districts having long coastlines, where the impact of the cyclone is expected to be more.

Disaster response force personnel have been deployed in the vulnerable district to carry out rescue work, besides two ships of Indian Navy have been put on standby.