A Red Alert has been declared for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as the cyclonic storm ‘Ditwah’ slowly moves towards the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. The storm is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall, strong winds, and a high risk of waterlogging across the region, affecting parts of Kerala and Telangana as well.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the cyclone, currently positioned close to coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify slightly further before reaching the coast.
Cyclone Ditwah Tracking and Timeline
In its latest bulletin, the IMD provided the following forecast regarding the cyclonic storm ‘Ditwah’:
- Movement: The storm moved north-northwestwards after hovering around coastal Sri Lanka.
- Anticipated Location: It is expected to reach near north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early morning of November 30.
- Intensification: IMD chief Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra noted: “We expect it to come out of Sri Lanka and enter the southwest Bay of Bengal by 29th morning. Then there could be a slight intensification.”
Heavy Rainfall and Wind Warnings
The IMD has issued severe warnings detailing the expected impact, particularly in coastal areas:
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
- Red Alert: The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a Red Alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry due to the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday.
- Rainfall: Extremely heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu on Saturday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at many other places. Extremely heavy rainfall is also expected over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday.
- Winds: Gale wind speed reaching 70-80 gusting to 90 kmph is expected from Saturday morning until Sunday morning along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.
Impact Assessment
IMD officials warned that the rainfall is likely to lead to localised inundation and flooding, particularly in urban areas. Flash-flood-like situations are also possible in hilly areas. The strong winds may also cause:
- Uprooting of trees and damage to hoardings.
- Damage to thatched or mud houses.
- “Significant damage” to standing crops, including horticulture, floriculture, and vegetables, especially those in the ripening stage.
Rainfall is expected to gradually decrease to light to moderate by December 1.
Alerts for Other Southern States
Other southern states are also expected to experience significant rainfall as the cyclone approaches and makes landfall:
- Kerala: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely on Saturday.
- Coastal Andhra Pradesh-Yanam and Rayalaseema: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is expected on Saturday. This is forecast to intensify to heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on Sunday.
- Telangana: Light to moderate rainfall at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely on Sunday.