Cyclone Ditwah Downgraded, Flood and Rain Warnings Remain

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone Ditwah has weakened into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. Moving northwards at a speed of 10 kmph, the system is expected to further weaken into a depression by Monday noon.

Current Position and Movement

According to the IMD update at 2 am, the centre of the deep depression was approximately 50 km from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts. Earlier, the IMD had issued a red alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh regions, urging residents to remain cautious.

Key Locations and Distances

• About 90 km south-southeast of Chennai
• Approximately 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry
• Around 110 km east-northeast of Cuddalore
• Nearly 180 km north-northeast of Karaikal

The depression is moving almost directly north along the coast and will be positioned 30 km off the southwest Bay of Bengal by Monday morning.

Impact and Rainfall Forecast

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas including Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Vellore, and Ranipet districts. Other regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal may experience light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some areas.

Wind Speeds and Coastal Alerts

• North coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry/Karaikal: Gale winds of 60–70 kmph, gusts up to 80 kmph
• Nearby north coastal and south coastal Tamil Nadu: Squally winds of 55–65 kmph, gusts up to 75 kmph

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Outlook

• South coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema: Light to moderate rainfall, heavy rain at isolated spots
• North coastal Andhra Pradesh: Light to moderate rain at most locations, isolated heavy rain expected
• Odisha: Light to moderate rain widely, heavy rain at isolated southern locations

Human Impact

Cyclone Ditwah has already caused fatalities and damage:

• Tamil Nadu: Three deaths due to rain-related incidents, confirmed by State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran
• Sri Lanka: Floods and landslides linked to the cyclone have caused 334 deaths, nearly 400 missing, and more than 1.3 million people affected

Relief Efforts

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka confirmed that the final group of stranded Indian passengers was evacuated under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Additional disaster-response supplies were delivered to Colombo via the Indian Air Force.

School and College Closures

• In Tamil Nadu, several districts had announced school and college closures; students are advised to verify with their respective institutions for the latest updates.
• In Puducherry, all private and government-aided schools across the four regions are closed on Monday, December 1, as confirmed by Home and Education Minister A Namassivayam.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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