Cyclone Ditwah: Puducherry Braces for Heavy Rain, Schools Shut on Saturday
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Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam are gearing up for intense rainfall as Cyclone Ditwah bears down on the region. In preparation, all schools and colleges will remain closed on Saturday, according to Home and Education Minister A Namassivayam. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of extremely heavy rain exceeding 20 cm within a single day. The cyclone is currently located about 300 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 410 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 510 km south-southeast of Chennai. Puducherry's Lt Governor K Kailashnathan held an emergency meeting with top officials to review preparedness and ensure swift action on preventive measures. National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed across Puducherry and Karaikal for rescue and relief work. Control rooms will remain functional round the clock to respond quickly to distress calls. Authorities have been instructed to warn fishermen not to venture into the sea and to secure all fishing boats. Hospitals must be stocked with medicines and emergency supplies, while relief centers will be opened with food packets for those in need. Officials have also been tasked with draining water from flood-prone areas. The cyclone's name 'Ditwah' was suggested by Yemen and is inspired by the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra's northwest coast.
