A severe cyclonic threat has prompted authorities to issue a red alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, as Cyclone Ditwah continues to impact the region. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has moved southeastwards towards the east coast, leading to forecasts of extremely heavy rainfall until Tuesday morning.
Red Alert and Precautionary Closures
A red alert has been officially declared for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur districts. In response to the severe weather warning, district authorities issued orders late on Monday for the closure of all schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Kanchipuram districts on Tuesday. Chennai Collector Roshni Siddharth Jagadevan announced the holiday, citing the likelihood of intense rainfall and potential waterlogging. Residents across these areas have been strongly advised to stay indoors and avoid any non-essential travel.
Impact and State Response
The cyclone has already had tragic consequences. Tamil Nadu's State Disaster Management Minister, KKSSR Ramachandran, confirmed that three rain-related deaths have been reported in the state linked to Cyclone Ditwah. Expressing concern for farmers in the Cauvery delta districts where crops have been ravaged, Chief Minister M K Stalin stated he has ordered immediate compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This compensation will cover losses of agricultural crops like paddy, loss of human lives and livestock, and damage to houses since the start of the northeast monsoon in October.
CM Stalin has also instructed officials to assess all damaged huts, houses, and cattle deaths for compensation distribution. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has urged the DMK government to conduct a complete assessment of crop damage and provide appropriate relief.
Preparedness and Weather Forecast
Emergency services are on high alert. The Greater Chennai Corporation has kept 103 boats on standby for potential rescue operations in low-lying areas. Additionally, about 60 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 30 from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are ready for deployment. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts until Tuesday morning due to the remnants of the cyclonic storm lingering close to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the system has weakened into a deep depression. It brought moderate rainfall across most of Rayalaseema and south coastal Andhra regions, with only isolated heavy showers. On Tuesday, parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may continue to experience moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds.
The effects of the cyclonic system are being felt beyond the immediate coastal region. Jharkhand, which had experienced partial relief from cold conditions, is bracing for another spell of cold-wave-like conditions from December 3, with minimum temperatures expected to drop by about four degrees Celsius.
