Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Disrupts Life in Southern Tamil Nadu
For the second consecutive day on Friday, the coastal districts of Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu bore the brunt of Cyclone Ditwah, experiencing relentless rainfall and powerful winds. While the rain's intensity showed a slight decrease by evening, fierce winds clocking speeds between 50 to 70 km per hour continued to sweep across the region, prompting district administrations to implement major precautionary measures.
Evacuations and Immediate Threats
In a critical move to ensure public safety, authorities evacuated 25 fishermen and their families from the vulnerable shores of Dhanushkodi. These residents were safely relocated to the Karaiyur Government High School, a designated relief shelter, amid severe high tide warnings.
The fury of the sea was evident in Kulasekarapattinam, Tiruchendur, where approximately 100 palm trees on the beach faced imminent uprooting. The soil around their roots was being rapidly eroded by strong waves and high tides. The situation had already resulted in 10 trees being uprooted, and the beach road was flooded and covered in sand. Similarly, the coastal road in Soorakottai was also inundated by seawater.
Administrative Actions and Preemptive Measures
Proactive steps were taken across the affected districts. In Rameswaram, officials have prohibited all fishing activities since Tuesday, recalling any boats that had ventured out. District administrations have prepared community halls, wedding halls, and schools to function as relief shelters for people in low-lying areas.
Ramanathapuram district collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon personally inspected waterlogged areas in Thoppukkadu, Pamban, where motors were deployed to drain the water. The collector has issued a public appeal, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel due to the dangerous wind speeds. As a safety measure, tourists have been barred from visiting coastal spots like Dhanushkodi.
Despite the risks, many fishermen in Pamban braved the harsh conditions to secure their boats, fearing that soil erosion from the high tide would cause their vessels to break anchor and be lost at sea.
State-Wide Preparedness and Forecast
With forecasts predicting very heavy rainfall in Tuticorin district over the weekend, district collector K Elambahavath has directed all departments to work in coordination, remain on standby, and ensure the availability of essential food supplies at relief shelters. Officials are closely monitoring key areas near water bodies, including Marudur, Thiruvaikundam, and Korampallam Anicut.
The preparedness extends to the delta districts anticipating heavy rain. Authorities have identified numerous vulnerable locations: 154 in Thanjavur, 195 in Tiruvarur, 176 in Mayiladuthurai, and 68 in Nagapattinam. Relief centres are on standby, and public safety advisories have been issued.
To bolster emergency response, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed more than 30 personnel in each of these four districts. The Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force (TNDRF) has also positioned its teams at critical, flood-prone spots. First-level response teams comprising revenue, police, and fire service personnel have been activated in every block, and dedicated control rooms are operational to coordinate rescue and relief efforts.
