Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu Braces for Red Alert as Storm Nears Landfall
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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Ditwah inches closer to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. The storm, currently hovering near Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify slightly before making landfall on November 30. According to IMD chief Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Cyclone Ditwah will move north-northwestwards and reach the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning on November 30. Extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, and waterlogging are expected in parts of the state, Puducherry, Kerala, and Telangana. A red alert has been issued for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry due to the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall. The IMD has also warned of gale wind speeds reaching 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, along and off the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from Saturday morning till Sunday morning. The storm is expected to cause significant damage to standing crops, including horticulture, floriculture, and vegetables, particularly those in the ripening stage. Heavy rainfall is also expected to lead to localised inundation and flooding, especially in urban areas. As Cyclone Ditwah approaches the coast, other southern states are also bracing for rainfall. Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh-Yanam, and Rayalaseema are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, while Telangana is likely to see heavy rainfall at isolated places on Sunday. Residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety. Stay tuned for further updates on Cyclone Ditwah.
