Cyclone Ditwah Weakens Into Deep Depression; Heavy Rain Likely in Tamil Nadu
Cyclone Ditwah has weakened into a deep depression near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and disruptions. IMD issues alerts as three deaths are reported in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka faces severe devastation.
Cyclone Ditwah weakens into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal as it moves along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Reports Cyclone Ditwah, initially formed in the southwest Bay of Bengal, has been downgraded to a deep depression and is expected to disappear totally by Monday noon. The cyclone is still moving north at a speed of 10 kmph along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast which is leading to rainfall, winds, and affecting the coast.
The IMD has also detailed that the estimated location of the deep depression’s center was around 50 km from the northern Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, as per the 2 am report. The heavy rain and wind were expected, and the alert for the maximum impact in the form of a red alert was imposed earlier to the regions of Northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and some areas of south Andhra Pradesh.
Rain-Related Deaths Reported in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s revenue and disaster management minister, KKSSR Ramachandran, confirmed that three people died in rain-triggered incidents linked to Cyclone Ditwah’s impact.
Cyclone Ditwah: Latest Key Updates
• Cyclone weakens further:
The storm, now a deep depression, was centred around 11:30 pm on Sunday about 90 km south-southeast of Chennai and 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry.
• Expected track:
IMD forecasts the system will continue drifting northwards, staying close to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline, and weaken into a depression by Monday noon.
• Heavy rainfall alert:
Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore and Ranipet.
Moderate rainfall is likely across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, accompanied by thunderstorms in some pockets.
• Strong winds predicted:
Gale winds of 60–70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, may lash north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Squally winds of 55–65 kmph are expected in adjoining districts.
• Andhra Pradesh & Odisha:
South coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may see heavy to moderate rain.
North Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha will experience light to moderate showers with isolated heavy rainfall.
• Sri Lanka devastation:
Sri Lanka reported 334 deaths, nearly 400 missing, and over 1.3 million people affected by floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu evacuated the last group of stranded Indian travellers and sent additional disaster-relief supplies to Colombo.
School Holiday Update
In Tamil Nadu, several districts had earlier announced the closure of educational institutions due to the cyclone.
However, as of December 1, there is no statewide confirmation of closures for today. Students should check directly with their schools.
In Puducherry, all private and government-aided institutions across its four regions will remain closed on Monday, as announced by the Union Territory’s home and education minister A. Namassivayam.
