Chennai: Cyclone Ditwah, which resulted in around 120 deaths in Sri Lanka, is set to continue moving north-northwestwards and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal near north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
On Saturday afternoon, the cyclone was located about 80 km east of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 140 km southeast of Vedaranniyam (India), 170 km south-southeast of Karaikal (India), 280 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 380 km south of Chennai.
According to IMD, Cyclone Ditwah will be centred over southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 60 km, 50 km and 25 km from Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by midnight on Saturday and early Sunday morning.
IMD has issued a red-category warning for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
Chennai and its neighbouring regions are already receiving heavy rainfall, as the Tamil Nadu government announced measures to meet any eventualities arising out of the cyclonic storm.
Cyclone Ditwah has also brought heavy rains to districts in the Cauvery delta, and coastal districts like Ramanathapuram.
Rainfall in Tamil Nadu will gradually decrease on December 1, with light to moderate rainfall at many places and heavy rainfall at isolated places.
Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry’s Yanam will receive “light to moderate rainfall at most places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Sunday, according to IMD’s bulletin. Will would then gradually decrease, becoming “light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Monday.
Kerala and Mahe in Puducherry will see “light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Saturday, while Telangana is “very likely to get light to moderate rainfall at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Sunday.
Fishermen have been urged not to venture into the sea because of strong winds, rough seas and potential localised flooding along the coast. The authorities have evacuated people in low-lying areas, as disaster management teams are on alert.
