New Delhi – Cyclone Ditwah has weakened into a deep depression and now lies over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, according to IMD Amaravati director Stella Samuel. The storm system, which caused catastrophic devastation in Sri Lanka before approaching India’s eastern coastline, continues to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to several regions.
According to the latest India Meteorological Department update, Cyclone Ditwah was centered near 13.0 degree north and 80.6 degree east latitudes, positioned approximately 50 km east of Chennai, 140 km northeast of Puducherry, 160 km north-northeast of Cuddalore, and 170 km south-southeast of Nellore. The weather system is expected to remain stationary for the next 24 hours before further weakening.
Heavy Rainfall Predictions Across Tamil Nadu Districts
The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rain at several locations over Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Vellore districts. The continued downpour associated with Cyclone Ditwah has already led to widespread waterlogging across Chennai and surrounding areas, severely disrupting normal life and transportation systems.
Heavy rain is also likely to occur at isolated places over Tirupathur, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram districts, along with the union territory of Puducherry. The weather office has warned residents in these areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as the storm system maintains its intensity over the region.
Strong Wind Warnings and Safety Concerns
Strong winds with speeds reaching up to 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, are expected over the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as well as the south coastal Karaikal area. According to M Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Ditwah is not likely to cross the Indian coast but will pass offshore.
“These wind speeds are not that high but they can have large-scale impact on standing crops. There can be inundation of low-lying areas,” Mohapatra stated, emphasizing the potential agricultural and infrastructural damage despite the relatively moderate wind speeds.
Casualties and Infrastructure Impact in Tamil Nadu
At least three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu caused by Cyclone Ditwah, according to state revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran. The continuous rainfall has led to waterlogging in numerous parts of Chennai, with roads and highways becoming inundated, making travel extremely difficult for residents.
The Chennai Airport announced the cancellation of ten flights due to adverse weather conditions, further highlighting the operational challenges posed by Cyclone Ditwah. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin held a comprehensive review meeting to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts across affected districts.
Devastating Impact on Sri Lanka
Before approaching India’s coast, Cyclone Ditwah caused massive devastation in Sri Lanka, which lay directly in the storm’s path. The cyclonic storm killed at least 334 people and left nearly 370 missing in the island nation. Approximately 20,000 homes were destroyed, and over 100,000 people have been relocated to government shelters, representing one of the worst natural disasters to hit Sri Lanka in recent years.
India’s Humanitarian Response to Sri Lanka
The Indian Air Force intensified its humanitarian assistance efforts to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The IAF evacuated 57 stranded persons initially and subsequently brought back more than 400 stranded Indians from Colombo using two transport aircraft. Over 2,000 stranded Indians have been successfully evacuated from Sri Lanka as part of the comprehensive rescue operations.
Sri Lanka’s minister publicly thanked India for its aid amid the ongoing disaster response operations, acknowledging the critical support provided during the nation’s hour of crisis.
PM Modi’s Diplomatic Outreach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Dissanayake in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, expressing condolences for the lives lost and offering India’s continued support during the recovery phase. This diplomatic engagement underscores the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and India’s commitment to regional humanitarian assistance.
Disaster Response Deployment
In anticipation of Cyclone Ditwah’s impact, the Tamil Nadu government deployed around 38 disaster response teams, including State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, on standby. Additionally, 22 NDRF teams were deployed in Tamil Nadu, with three teams positioned in Puducherry to respond to any emergency situations.
Ten more teams from other states joined the relief and rehabilitation work, strengthening the state’s capacity to handle the crisis. Schools were closed in Puducherry and several Tamil Nadu districts as a precautionary measure to ensure student safety.
Origin and Naming of the Storm
The name ‘Ditwah’ was suggested by Yemen and refers to a lagoon, likely deriving from Detwah Lagoon, a large saline lagoon located on Socotra’s northwest coast. This naming convention follows the standard protocol established by the World Meteorological Organization for tropical cyclones in the region.
As Cyclone Ditwah continues weakening into a depression, authorities remain alert, monitoring the situation closely and maintaining readiness to respond to any emerging challenges.
