Red Alert in Cauvery Delta as Cyclone Ditwah Nears Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, South Andhra Pradesh
Massive storm barrels toward coast with destructive rain, winds.
The India Meteorological Department confirmed on Friday that Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal, is steadily advancing north-northwestward toward the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coastline. As of late Thursday, the system was centred approximately 480 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 580 km from Chennai, packing gale-force winds reaching 60-80 kmph with gusts up to 90 kmph.
The cyclone is expected to maintain its intensity as a cyclonic storm without escalating into a severe category, according to Regional Meteorological Centre Director B. Amudha. It is forecast to skirt close to the Tamil Nadu coast by the morning of November 30, triggering widespread heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the region. Fishermen have been strictly warned to avoid venturing into the south and central Bay of Bengal for the next five days.
A red alert signifying rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours has been issued for four Cauvery delta districts — Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai — until November 30. An orange alert for very heavy rainfall (11-20 cm) is in force for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet districts. Squally conditions with winds of 35-55 kmph are likely along the entire coastal stretch, accompanied by rough to very rough sea conditions.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu, Kerala on Red Alert With Cyclone ‘Fengal’ Set for Landfall Near Puducherry–Sriharikota
In Andhra Pradesh, the State Disaster Management Authority has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across south coastal districts and Rayalaseema from November 29 onward. Districts including Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai are expected to bear the brunt of the system’s outer rain bands for at least three consecutive days.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin chaired a high-level review with the State Disaster Management Authority on Thursday, directing accelerated preparatory measures across vulnerable areas. With the cyclone’s trajectory placing millions in its path, coastal communities are bracing for significant disruption as Ditwah approaches landfall proximity within the next 48 hours.
Also Read: IMD Warns Tamil Nadu, Puducherry of Intense Heavy Rainfall as Red Alert Issued
