Cyclone Ditwah Approaches India, Heavy Rainfall Expected in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Ditwah is moving towards the Indian coastline, bringing significant rainfall to regions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The storm, which caused severe damage in Sri Lanka, has resulted in at least 153 fatalities and left 191 individuals unaccounted for, as reported by the Reuters news agency.

As of 5:30 PM on Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclone Ditwah was located over the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to the northern coast of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The cyclone was positioned at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 80.6°E, approximately 110 kilometres northeast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and about 80 kilometres east of Vedaranyam, India.

The IMD predicts that the cyclone is likely to continue its trajectory north-northwestwards, with expectations of landfall along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by early morning on November 30. The storm is anticipated to come within 60 kilometres of the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry shoreline by midnight on November 29, reducing to 50 kilometres by dawn and 25 kilometres by the evening of November 30.

Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the director general of meteorology at IMD, stated, "There could be a slight intensification. With this wind speed, the cyclone will continue moving north-northwestwards and reach near the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast by early morning on November 30."

As the cyclone approaches, heavy rainfall is expected across the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and the Cauvery delta region from November 29 to 30. The IMD has issued warnings of "heavy to extremely heavy rainfall" in these areas, with potential flooding and inundation in urban centres. In hilly regions, conditions may lead to flash floods.

A red alert has been issued for several districts, including Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry, due to the anticipated rainfall levels. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall, with instances of heavy precipitation in isolated areas, is predicted for coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Yanam and Rayalaseema.

In preparation for the storm, approximately 6,000 relief camps have been established, and 28 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been mobilised in Tamil Nadu, according to statements made by Minister KKSSR Ramachandran.

In response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, India has dispatched food and essential supplies to assist those impacted. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and committed to providing further support to the affected regions.

Moreover, the adverse weather conditions have led to the cancellation of more than 50 flights across various districts in Tamil Nadu, as reported by ANI. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as the cyclone approaches, and preparations are ongoing to mitigate the impact of the storm as it makes landfall.