Source HT
New Delhi: Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, currently swirling over the coastal areas of Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall near the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early morning of Sunday, November 30, according to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The cyclonic system, which has already caused widespread devastation and claimed at least 56 lives in Sri Lanka, is moving in a north-northwest direction and is projected to bring intense rainfall and strong winds to India’s southern and eastern coasts.
Red Alerts Issued for Coastal Districts
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, the IMD has issued a Red Alert—signifying the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm in 24 hours)—for several districts in Tamil Nadu. These include delta regions like Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai.
An Orange Alert—warning of very heavy rainfall (11 to 20 cm)—is in effect for coastal districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal.
States on High Alert
At least five Indian states and Union Territories are on high alert as the cyclone approaches. The regions facing severe weather are:
Tamil Nadu (Red and Orange Alerts)
Puducherry (Orange Alert)
Andhra Pradesh (Red and Orange Alerts for coastal and Rayalaseema districts)
Kerala and Mahe (Heavy rain expected)
South Interior Karnataka (Heavy rain expected)
The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on November 29 and 30, with heavy to very heavy rainfall continuing in the affected regions until December 1.
Preparedness and Advisory
State governments and disaster management authorities are on high alert, with preparations underway to mitigate the storm’s impact.
Disaster Response: Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across vulnerable coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Port Warning: Cyclone warning signal number two has been raised at the Puducherry port, cautioning vessels against wind speeds of 60-90 kmph.
Fishermen Advisory: Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea in the affected parts of the Bay of Bengal for the next few days.
Education: Holidays have been declared for schools and colleges in several districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as a precautionary measure.
Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory closely and have urged residents in coastal and low-lying areas to remain vigilant, heed official warnings, and take all necessary precautions.
