Cyclone Ditwah is predicted to weaken into a deep depression, with the weather system expected to be centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal and within 30 kilometers of the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by midnight Sunday, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. As of Sunday evening, the cyclone is located approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Cuddalore, 120 kilometers northeast of Karaikal, and 170 kilometers northeast of Vedaranniyam.
The Met office reported that as of now, the cyclone’s center is about 80 kilometers from the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline and is likely to move nearly northward parallel to the coast. With movement currently at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour, it should reach its closest point to the coastline by midnight. Private weather forecasters indicate that areas such as Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet may experience rainfall as the cyclone approaches.
Earlier in the week, heavy rainfall attributed to Cyclone Ditwah battered several regions in Tamil Nadu, resulting in at least three fatalities. The state government has reported significant flooding, particularly in Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts, disrupting daily life in coastal towns like Rameswaram.
The weather office predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming 24 hours for districts including Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Vellore. Isolated places in Tirupathur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Puducherry are also expected to see heavy rainfall. Winds could reach speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 80 kilometers per hour, particularly affecting North Coastal Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry area. Sea conditions are expected to be dangerous, prompting authorities to advise fishermen to steer clear of the southwest Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar until December 1.
Disaster management preparations are underway, with the state government deploying 38 disaster response teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force, on standby. Minister KKSSR Ramachandran confirmed the fatalities linked to rain-related incidents, with additional damages reported to livestock and farmland following the storm.
Southern Railway has enhanced its cyclone preparedness plan to ensure the safety of passengers and staff amidst warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department. The railway authority is implementing improved standard operating procedures and maintaining continuous monitoring in high-impact areas.
Cyclone Ditwah, named after a lagoon in Yemen, is a reminder of the persistent threat posed by extreme weather events in the region. As the cyclone approaches, residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.
As the situation unfolds, updates from the Meteorological Centre and local authorities will be crucial for residents in affected areas.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-ditwah-expected-to-weaken-into-deep-depression-late-on-sunday-predicts-imd-11764516182840.html
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Publish Date: 2025-11-30 20:59:00
