Cyclone Ditwah: What You Need to Know
Cyclone Ditwah is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Tamil Nadu and surrounding areas. Here's a breakdown of the key developments:
IMD Issues Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather alerts for several regions:
- Orange alert: Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla districts in Andhra Pradesh.
- Red alert: Some coastal districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Orange alerts: Puducherry, Karaikal and adjoining parts of Andhra Pradesh.
The IMD forecasts light to moderate rainfall with strong surface winds, thunderstorms, and lightning in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore
Fishermen are warned against venturing into the sea due to very rough conditions along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Conditions are expected to gradually improve on December 1st and 2nd.
Wind Speeds
Gale force winds of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, are expected to continue until the morning of November 30th, before gradually decreasing.
Cyclone Ditwah: The Name's Origin
The name 'Ditwah,' meaning a lagoon, was suggested by Yemen. It is believed to be derived from the Detwah Lagoon on the northwest coast of Socotra.
Sri Lanka's Devastation
Before reaching India, Cyclone Ditwah caused significant damage in Sri Lanka. Reuters reports at least 153 deaths and 191 missing due to floods and landslides.
Tamil Nadu's Preparedness
The Tamil Nadu government is taking proactive measures:
- 28 disaster response teams (SDRF and NDRF) are on standby.
- 10 more teams are expected to arrive from other states.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has directed district collectors in 14 districts to implement necessary precautions.
Rainfall in Tamil Nadu
Several areas in Tamil Nadu have already experienced significant rainfall:
| Area | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Pamban | 70 |
| Nagapattinam | 60 |
| Karaikal | 50 |
| Tondi | 50 |
| Vedharanyam | 50 |
| Adiramapatinam | 30 |
| Nagapattinam | 30 |
No Major Impact So Far
According to State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, there have been no human fatalities reported in Tamil Nadu so far. However, 16 livestock have died, and 24 huts have been damaged. The state government is continuously monitoring the situation and has rescue and relief teams ready.
