Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Tamil Nadu Braces for Impact
The India Meteorological Department sounded the highest alarm on Saturday, issuing a red alert across several districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah advances toward the coastline. The weather bureau predicts the storm will make landfall by Sunday evening, coming within 25 kilometers of the coast.
Districts Under Threat and Current Conditions
IMD has specifically warned about heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu districts, and the Puducherry-Karaikal region. Coastal areas are already experiencing the cyclone's preliminary effects with strong winds and rainfall battering the regions.
In Thoothukudi district, the situation has turned concerning as heavy rainfall caused excess water from urban areas to drain toward the Port Trust coastline. The sea has turned unusually rough, with strong tidal activity pushing large quantities of marine algae and seabed vegetation ashore.
Massive Preparedness Measures Underway
The Tamil Nadu government has established 6000 relief camps throughout the state, according to KKSSR Ramachandran, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management. "We have placed as many camps for people to stay in the cyclone-affected areas. As of now, we have set up 6000 camps all over Tamil Nadu," the minister confirmed on Saturday.
Despite the extensive preparations, authorities report that only small numbers of residents have sought shelter in these camps so far. The minister noted that rain clouds are currently moving from Ramanathapuram district toward coastal districts, with limited impact observed thus far.
Emergency Response and Agricultural Damage
Disaster response forces have been mobilized at an unprecedented scale. 28 teams from both NDRF and SDRF have been deployed across vulnerable areas, with an additional 10 teams requested and en route. The government has also sought assistance from the Coast Guard for potential rescue operations.
The cyclone has already begun affecting agriculture, particularly in the Cauvery delta districts where paddy cultivation faces flooding threats. Minister Ramachandran assured farmers that "once the water drains, which we expect within 2 days, we will calculate the loss and provide compensation to farmers."
Meanwhile, in Nellore district, Joint Collector Mogili Venkateswarlu reported that only moderate rains have occurred so far. "All district-level staff have been alerted, and various departments have taken precautionary measures," he stated, emphasizing that comprehensive safety protocols are in place.
Sri Lanka's Devastation Serves as Warning
The urgency of preparations is underscored by the cyclone's devastating impact on Sri Lanka, where the storm has already claimed 123 lives with another 130 people reported missing. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre, the extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the island nation, forcing approximately 44,000 people into temporary government shelters.
District administrations in Tamil Nadu are urgently advising residents to exercise extreme caution, avoid coastal areas unless absolutely necessary, and heed all safety warnings as Cyclone Ditwah continues its path toward the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh coasts.
