Red Alert Issued in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Ditwah Approaches Coast

A red alert was sounded for several districts in Tamil Nadu on Saturday as Cyclone Ditwah inched toward the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and the threat of flooding across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Telangana.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm, currently positioned near Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify slightly as it moves north-northwest.

Cyclone Path

In its latest bulletin, the IMD said Cyclone Ditwah, which had been hovering near coastal Sri Lanka, is expected to reach close to the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early November 30.

“We expect it to emerge from Sri Lanka and enter the southwest Bay of Bengal by the morning of the 29th. A slight intensification is possible,” IMD chief Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told ANI.

Heavy Rainfall Forecast for Tamil Nadu

Extremely heavy rain was forecast for isolated areas of coastal Tamil Nadu on Saturday, with heavy to very heavy rain likely in several other districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a red alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Puducherry. Gale-force winds of 70–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, are expected along the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from Saturday morning through Sunday.

Extremely heavy rain is also likely on Sunday as the storm nears the shoreline. The IMD warned of localised flooding, especially in urban areas, and flash-flood-like conditions in hilly terrain. Strong winds may uproot trees, damage hoardings and affect thatched or mud houses. Significant damage to standing crops, including horticulture, floriculture and vegetables in ripening stages, is also expected.

Rainfall intensity is likely to taper off from December 1, though heavy rain may persist in a few areas.

Alerts in Other Southern States

Kerala is likely to receive light to moderate rain at many places, with heavy rain at isolated spots on Saturday.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh–Yanam and Rayalaseema are expected to see light to moderate rain at most places, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations on Saturday and extremely heavy rain in some areas on Sunday.

In Telangana, light to moderate rain is expected at a few places on Sunday, with isolated heavy rainfall likely.