Cyclone Ditwah has significantly weakened into a deep depression but continues to pose weather threats across Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions. The India Meteorological Department has issued fresh rainfall alerts for multiple districts as the system moves northwards.
Current Status and Movement
According to the latest IMD update at 2:00 AM on 1 December, the weather system has transformed from a cyclonic storm to a deep depression. It was located approximately 90 km south-southeast of Chennai and 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry.
The system has been moving northwards at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour over the past six hours. Its current position is centered near latitude 12.3°N and longitude 80.6°E over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.
Chennai's Doppler Weather Radars deployed at Karaikal are actively monitoring the system's movement and development.
Impact and Damage Assessment
The cyclonic storm has already caused substantial disruption across the region. Three fatalities have been confirmed according to state government records accessed by PTI.
On Sunday, heavy rainfall severely affected the Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu, causing significant waterlogging in multiple low-lying areas. Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts experienced the worst impact with streets and roads completely inundated.
A striking visual from Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam showed a man attempting to cross a waterlogged paddy field after the Manangkondan River overflowed due to the cyclone's impact.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The IMD has predicted that the weather system may bring additional rainfall before eventually dissipating over the open sea. The agency has specifically warned about continued rainfall on Monday in several districts.
Rainfall alerts have been issued for Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Vellore districts. For Tiruvallur district, the IMD has specifically forecast heavy rainfall on December 1.
The weather department stated that light to moderate rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Tamilnadu and over Puducherry & Karaikal area with thunderstorm & lightning at one or two places.
While the system has weakened, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and advise residents in affected areas to remain cautious and follow official updates.
