Chennai, November 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah approaches the coast. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy showers in isolated spots, is expected in areas including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, and the Puducherry-Karaikal region.
Strong winds and rainfall have already impacted coastal areas, with unusual sea turbulence observed in the Thoothukudi district. Excess water has mixed with the sea, washing marine algae ashore. Authorities have warned the public to avoid coastal areas due to the storm’s intensity.
The cyclone is set to move north-northwest and approach the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh coasts by Sunday evening, within 25 km of the coast. In preparation, Tamil Nadu has set up 6,000 relief camps across the state, though attendance has been low so far. The government has also pledged compensation to farmers whose paddy crops have been affected by flooding in the Cauvery delta.
28 NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed for relief efforts, with more support requested from the Coast Guard. Cyclone Ditwah, which has already caused widespread destruction in Sri Lanka, has claimed 123 lives and left 130 people missing. Nearly 15,000 homes have been destroyed, and 44,000 people have been displaced.
