Cyclone Ditwah: Heavy Rains Cause Fatalities in Tamil Nadu
Heavy rainfall struck Tamil Nadu and Puducherry early Sunday as Cyclone Ditwah moved along the coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Tragically, the state government has confirmed three rain-related deaths in Tamil Nadu.
Cyclone's Current Location and Forecast
As of 8:30 am Sunday, the IMD reported that the cyclone was approximately 180 km south-southeast of Chennai and about 110 km southeast of Puducherry.
The IMD forecasts that the cyclone will not make landfall in India. Instead, it will continue moving northwards, remaining over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The IMD stated, "It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours."
Alerts and Preparedness
Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu remains under a 'red' alert, with warnings from the IMD for very heavy rainfall. Much of the state's north coast is under an 'orange' alert. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reviewed the preparedness of Southern Railway to handle any potential disruptions.
International Aid and Past Impact
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are assisting authorities in Sri Lanka, where the cyclone tragically caused over 330 fatalities before moving towards India. The IAF conducted rescue missions to extract stranded passengers from several countries, including India, Germany, Slovenia, the UK, and South Africa, from affected areas in Sri Lanka.
