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Cyclone Ditwah Warning: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Brace for 3 Days of Extreme Rain

Cyclone Ditwah has intensified over the Bay of Bengal and is heading toward the Indian coast. The IMD predicts extremely heavy rainfall for coastal Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh over the next three days. Strong winds reaching 90 kmph and rough sea conditions are expected along the coast. Authorities have suspended all fishing operations and issued widespread thunderstorm warnings across South India.

Key Points: Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Heavy Rain Alert for Tamil Nadu Andhra

  • Cyclone Ditwah intensifies over southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka
  • Gale winds up to 90 kmph expected along Tamil Nadu coast
  • Fishing operations suspended until December 1 across affected regions
  • Thunderstorm and lightning alerts issued for multiple South Indian states
2 min read

Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu, Andhra brace for 'extremely heavy rain' for next 3 days

IMD warns of extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Ditwah approaches. Gale winds and fishing bans issued.

"Isolated extremely heavy rain falls are highly likely over coastal Tamil Nadu for the next three days from Friday - Senior Meteorologist, RMC"

Chennai, Nov 28

The Cyclonic Storm 'Ditwah' intensified over the southwest Bay of Bengal and coastal Sri Lanka, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue ‘extremely heavy rainfall’ warnings for coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh over the next three days.

The system, which moved north-northwestwards, was centred about 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal (Karaikal), in the Bay of Bengal, officials confirmed.

The IMD forecasted Ditwah will continue on a north-northwest track across the Sri Lanka coast and adjoining Bay of Bengal, nearing the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early morning of Sunday.

"Isolated extremely heavy rain falls are highly likely over coastal Tamil Nadu for the next three days from Friday," a senior meteorologist from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said, advising district administrations to remain on high alert.

The forecast includes isolated extremely heavy rainfall over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema on Sunday. Gale wind speeds reaching 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, are expected along and off the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts until the morning of Sunday, with very rough to high sea conditions persisting.

Total suspension of fishing operations remains in effect across the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh until December 1, authorities said.

The IMD has issued extensive warnings for thunderstorms and lightning across several South Indian states, coinciding with the approach of cyclonic storm Ditwah towards the eastern coast.

The weather office confirmed that thunderstorm activity, accompanied by lightning, is very likely over Tamil Nadu between Friday and December 1.

Kerala and Mahe (Puducherry) are also expected to witness similar conditions during the initial two days of this period, specifically on Friday and Saturday.

Further north, the regions of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry) and Rayalaseema are under a prolonged thunderstorm and lightning alert, with the phenomenon very likely to occur from Friday and continue through to December 2.

In the southern parts of the country, Karnataka is also expected to be affected, with South Interior Karnataka facing a threat on Saturday and Sunday, and North Interior Karnataka being placed under a similar warning for Sunday.

Additionally, the IMD noted that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to experience thunderstorms on Friday, accompanied by gusty wind speeds expected to reach 30-40 kmph.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good that fishing operations are suspended. Safety first! Hope the state governments have adequate disaster management teams ready. Coastal Tamil Nadu has seen enough cyclones in recent years.
M
Michael C
Living in Chennai and watching this closely. The drainage systems better hold up this time. Last year's floods were a nightmare. Fingers crossed! 🤞
A
Ananya R
Praying for everyone's safety. The wind speeds of 80-90 kmph sound dangerous. Hope people in low-lying areas are being evacuated properly. Our NDRF teams are always so brave during these situations! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
The IMD's forecasting has improved so much over the years. Remember when we used to get cyclones with barely any warning? Now we get 3-day advance alerts. Good work by our meteorological department!
V
Vikram M
While the warnings are necessary, I hope the media doesn't create unnecessary panic. People need clear, practical advice - not sensational headlines. Stay calm and follow official guidelines.

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