Cyclone Ditwah Alert: Tamil Nadu, Andhra on High Alert as Storm Nears, 6,000 Relief Camps Ready

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Cyclone Ditwah, which ravaged Sri Lanka, is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by Sunday morning. The storm has already claimed 123 lives and left 130 people missing in Sri Lanka. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Ditwah is likely to intensify slightly and move north-northwestwards, reaching the coast of North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by Sunday morning. The weather department has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the southern and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu from November 29 to 30. IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has cautioned that the rainfall can lead to localized inundation and flooding, especially in urban areas, and flash-flood-like situations in hilly regions. The IMD has issued a red alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Villupuram. In coastal Andhra Pradesh, light to moderate rainfall is expected on Saturday, while heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for Sunday. In response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, India has dispatched food and relief supplies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and pledged further assistance to those affected. As the storm approaches, 54 flights have been cancelled across multiple districts in Tamil Nadu due to adverse weather conditions. A total of 6,000 relief camps have been set up in preparation for the cyclone's landfall. The state governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are on high alert, with NDRF teams deployed to assist in the evacuation and relief efforts.