Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain lashed Tamil Nadu’s coastal belt and Cauvery delta on Saturday as Cyclone Ditwah moved across the open sea and inched toward the state’s shoreline. Several districts reported strong winds, high tides and continuous downpour as the storm advanced north-northwest over the Bay of Bengal.
In Ramanathapuram district, a tourist van was stranded in a flooded area near a canal. All passengers escaped unharmed after exiting through the rear door. Authorities warned residents to stay indoors unless necessary due to worsening weather conditions.
Tourist movement to Dhanushkodi, a fragile spot near Pamban Island that was devastated during the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone, has been halted as a precaution. Heavy rainfall was recorded in Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Pattukottai, Cuddalore and parts of Chennai.
With multiple regions facing waterlogging and strong winds, district administrations ordered the closure of schools for the day. Coastal areas in Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam witnessed severe gusts and rising waves.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Ditwah moved at a speed of 8 kmph over the past six hours and was centred early Saturday over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining northern Sri Lanka. At 5:30 am, it lay 190 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 300 km from Puducherry and 400 km from Chennai. The cyclone is expected to continue its north-northwest trajectory and approach the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh coastline by early November 30.
Private weather trackers said the storm’s path remained unchanged and predicted increased rainfall in Chennai, Cuddalore and Puducherry by night.
The name ‘Ditwah,’ chosen by Yemen, refers to a lagoon and is believed to be inspired by Detwah Lagoon on Yemen’s Socotra Island.
