Chennai, 30 Nov

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continues its northward trajectory over the southwest Bay of Bengal, steadily moving closer to the shoreline.

Meanwhile, three people have died in rain-related incidents caused by Cyclone Ditawh in Tamil Nadu, state Disaster Management Minister KKSSRRamachandran said on Sunday.

According to the IMD's 5:30 am update on Sunday, Cyclone Ditwah moved nearly northwards at a speed of 7 kmph over the past six hours and was centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.

"Cyclonic Storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Tamil Nadu- Puducherry coasts: Cyclone Warning for north Tamil Nadu & Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts," the IMD notice stated.

According to the Meteorological Department, the storm was positioned near latitude 11.1°N and longitude 80.6°E, marking a slight northward shift since the previous advisory.

At this position, the cyclone lay about 90 km east-northeast of Karaikal, 120 km northeast of Vedaranniyam, 130 km southeast of Puducherry, 170 km north-northeast of Jaffna in Sri Lanka, and 220 km south-southeast of Chennai, indicating its continued proximity to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline.

The IMD stated that the cyclone is very likely to move almost directly northwards, running parallel to the coast over the next 24 hours.

As it progresses, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to come within 70 km of the coastline by noon today, narrowing further to just 30 km by this evening, raising concerns of intensified rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding in coastal districts.

"It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours. While moving northwards the cyclonic storm will be centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 70 km and 30 km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by noon and evening of today, the 30th November respectively," the IMD notice read.

Damages in TN due to Ditwah

In Tamil Nadu, approximately 56,000 hectares of farmland have been flooded in the state, said Minister Ramachandran as he detailed that 24,000 farmlands in Nagapattinam, 15,000 in Tiruvarur, and 8,000 in Mayiladuthurai were flooded.

Additionally, Revenue Minister Ramachandran discussed the state's preparedness in view of Cyclone Ditwah, stating that 38 relief camps have been established across vulnerable districts. Nine have been established in Pudukkottai, two each in Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram, four in Tiruvarur, two in Thanjavur, 10 in Nagapattinam, one each in Ranipet and Chengalpattu, and seven in Viluppuram, collectively accommodating 2,391 people.

The Minister stated that since yesterday evening, three people have died and 234 huts have been damaged due to the rainfall. He also mentioned that Chief Minister MK Stalin will determine the relief measures after the rains.

"We have taken all necessary measures to face the cyclone, whatever its nature. Since yesterday evening, three people have died, and 149 livestock deaths have been reported, with 234 huts damaged due to the rains... A total of 38 disaster response teams are on standby: 12 NDRF, 16 TNDRF, and 10 NDRF teams... About 56,000 hectares of farmland flooded--24,000 in Nagapattinam, 15,000 in Tiruvarur, 8,000 in Mayiladuthurai. After rains, the Chief Minister will decide on relief measures...," Ramachandran told ANI.

The IMD further stated that the cyclone is very likely to move almost directly northwards, running parallel to the coast over the next 24 hours. As it progresses, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to narrow further to just 30 km by this evening, raising concerns of intensified rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding in coastal districts.