Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Threatens Coastal Regions
The India Meteorological Department has escalated weather warnings as Cyclone Ditwah gains strength over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. The cyclonic storm continues its north-northwest movement, posing significant threats to northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh coastal areas.
The weather system is expected to make landfall in the early hours of November 30, bringing extremely heavy rainfall and powerful winds to vulnerable coastal districts. The IMD has issued widespread advisories for residents and fishermen across the affected regions.
District-wise Alert Status and Rainfall Forecast
On Friday, the IMD placed Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu under Red Alert status. Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tiruchirappalli, Mayiladuthurai, Ariyalur districts, and Karaikal received Orange Alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The alert status escalates on Saturday with Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villuppuram, and Chengalpattu districts joining Puducherry and Karaikal under Red Alert. Multiple districts including Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Chennai, and several others will remain under Orange Alert.
Rainfall predictions indicate extremely heavy precipitation at one or two places in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukkottai on Friday. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across multiple districts through the weekend, with widespread rain expected across Tamil Nadu on November 29.
Chennai Weather and Fishermen Advisory
Chennai residents can expect a partly cloudy sky with occasional light to moderate rain and possible thunderstorms. The city's maximum temperature will hover around 30°C while minimum temperatures may settle between 25-26°C.
The IMD has issued a critical advisory for fishermen, strongly urging them to avoid venturing into the southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area, and along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast until December 1. Fishermen already at sea have been instructed to return to the nearest shore immediately.
As Cyclone Ditwah approaches the Indian coastline, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with weather forecasts expected to become more defined as the storm nears landfall.
