Cyclone Ditwah has brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, leading to a red alert being issued for several districts. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on November 30.
The heavy rains have already caused significant damage, particularly to salt production in the Vedharanyam area of Nagapattinam district, where approximately 9,000 acres of salt pans have been affected. The inundation of salt pans is a major blow to the local economy, as salt production had already concluded for the year by the end of September.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone Ditwah is moving towards the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh coasts and is likely to make landfall on November 30. As of November 29, the storm was centered over the coastal areas of Sri Lanka and adjoining parts of the southwest Bay of Bengal, approximately 480 km south of Chennai. It is moving in a north-northwest direction. The IMD forecasts that the cyclone will likely cross the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast by early November 30. The storm is expected to move parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast until Sunday and lose intensity as a depression by Sunday evening when it reaches close to Chennai. Landfall is not expected.
A red alert has been issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry due to the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for five other districts in Tamil Nadu. The IMD has warned of wind speeds around 50 to 60 km/h, peaking at 70 km/h on November 29 and 30. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected over Nellore, Prakasam, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamaya, and Kadapa. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is possible over Bapatla, Guntur, Palnaadu, and Nandiyan districts. Isolated heavy rain is likely over Nellore and Prakasam districts on December 1.
In addition to the damage in India, Cyclone Ditwah has already caused widespread devastation in Sri Lanka, where it struck on Friday morning. As of November 29, the storm had left over 153 people dead and caused extensive damage. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency across the island. India has launched "Operation Sagar Bandhu" to deliver urgent relief and rescue support to Sri Lanka.
The Tamil Nadu government is taking precautionary measures, particularly in Cuddalore district. 28 disaster response teams are on standby. Residents are warned against unnecessary travel. Schools have been closed in several districts.
