Cyclone Ditva Approaches Tamil Nadu, Relief Efforts Underway as Heavy Rains Cause Waterlogging in Chennai and Puducherry

There’s a cyclonic storm named Ditwa forming in the Bay of Bengal, and it’s getting close to India’s coast. As of Sunday morning, heavy rains have already started in many parts of Tamil Nadu. The storm was about 390 km from Chennai and 290 km from the Puducherry coast early in the day.

The storm is currently moving northwest at a speed of 8 km per hour, near the northern parts of Sri Lanka. Because of this, the Meteorological Department has issued a rain alert for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Heavy rains have already caused waterlogging in several areas in Tamil Nadu, prompting local authorities to begin relief efforts.

By Monday morning, Cyclone Ditwa is expected to be very close to the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh. Over the past six hours, it has moved northwards at a speed of 7 km per hour. By late Sunday night, it was located 110 km northeast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and around 280 km south of Chennai.

In Puducherry, heavy rain warnings have been issued, and fishermen are advised to avoid going into the sea due to the risk of high waves. The Puducherry government is preparing rice packets to help around five lakh families, while Tamil Nadu’s government has asked residents to stay indoors unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Ditwa has caused significant damage in Sri Lanka, leading to landslides and flash floods. As part of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, India has sent about 21 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka to help with the situation. Even though water levels are starting to go down, the effects of the cyclone are expected to last for a few more days.