Cyclone Ditwah weakens into a deep depression, more rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Ditwa weakened into a deep depression as it approached the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, after days of heavy rains and strong winds across the region. The Regional Meteorological Center confirmed on Sunday evening that the cyclone was located about 80 kilometers east of Cuddalore and was now moving parallel to the coast.

Authorities have warned of continued heavy rains, as relief operations continue, and several deaths have been reported due to weather-related incidents.

“The minimum distance of the center of the cyclone from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts is about 80 km. It is very likely to move northwards almost parallel to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and weaken into a depression around tomorrow (December 1) morning,” the bulletin issued by the Meteorological Office late on Sunday evening said. The Meteorological Office also reported that the cyclone is moving at a speed of 5 km per hour and will be centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal, approaching the coast within 20 km by the morning of December 1.

The system, which is being closely monitored by Doppler weather radars in Karaikal and Chennai, is expected to bring more rain to districts including Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Ranipet. “Some clouds are expected to return overnight into tomorrow morning. The cyclone may bring more rain before dissipating into the open sea,” private weather bloggers noted.

The Tamil Nadu government has reported three deaths linked to rain-related accidents caused by Cyclone Ditoa. Briefing media at the State Emergency Operations Center on Sunday, state Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said, “Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents since yesterday evening. While two people died due to wall collapse in Tuticorin and Thanjavur, respectively, a 20-year-old youth died due to electrocution in Mayiladuthurai.” The hurricane also led to the loss of 149 heads of livestock and affected 57,000 hectares of agricultural land in the delta regions, according to state authorities.

Normal life remains disrupted in coastal areas like Rameswaram and Nagapattinam, with many low-lying areas still suffering from waterlogging. The Met office has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at several locations in Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Vellore in the next 24 hours, while isolated heavy rain is likely in Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Puducherry. Strong surface winds, gusting to 70 km/h and gusting to 80 km/h, are expected to continue, especially along the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Sea conditions remain high and are expected to become very rough by the morning of December 1st before gradually improving. Authorities have advised fishermen not to venture into the sea, especially to avoid the southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin region and waters off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and southern Andhra Pradesh until weather conditions stabilize.

Disaster response teams, including 38 units of state and national disaster response forces, have been placed on alert in Tamil Nadu, with ten more teams joining relief and rehabilitation operations from other states. Southern Railway has implemented a comprehensive preparedness mechanism, strengthening standard operating procedures and maintaining round-the-clock vigil across high-impact areas like Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, to ensure safety of passengers and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, rescue operations continue in Sri Lanka, where more than 200 Indian nationals stranded due to Cyclone Ditwa have been evacuated by the Indian Air Force and taken to Thiruvananthapuram airport. According to a defense spokesperson, “another 135 personnel are expected to land by 11pm on board C-130 J aircraft,” and Indian Air Force helicopters have airlifted 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel from the affected areas. The spokesperson also stated, “A total of 55 civilians, including Indians, foreign nationals and Sri Lankan survivors, were successfully evacuated to Colombo. The two Indian helicopters, operating around the clock, have flown more than 12 rescue sorties so far.”