The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert for several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah continued its approach toward the southeast coast of India. The severe weather system is expected to bring intense rainfall and strong winds over the next 24 hours. Authorities have scaled up rescue and relief preparedness ahead of the landfall.
According to IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with extremely heavy spells at isolated locations, is likely over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal. Early impacts have already been felt in several coastal pockets, with rain and winds intensifying since Saturday morning.
Air India issues travel advisory
Air India on Saturday issued a travel advisory cautioning passengers about possible disruption to flight operations as Cyclone Ditwah brings heavy rain and strong winds to parts of southern India. The airline urged travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to reach out to customer support for any assistance or rescheduling needs.
In a post on X, Air India said, “Heavy rain and strong winds resulting from Cyclone Ditwah may impact our flights operating to and from Chennai and some other cities in southern India.”
Cyclone to skirt close to coast by Sunday
The IMD said Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move north-northwestward and come within 25 km of the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by Sunday evening. Heavy rainfall activity is likely to peak through Sunday night as the cyclone passes dangerously close to land.
6,000 relief camps activated
Tamil Nadu Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran said the state has already established 6,000 relief camps as a precautionary measure, though only small numbers of citizens have shifted so far.
The Minister confirmed that paddy cultivation in the Cauvery Delta has suffered flooding but assured that once water recedes within two days, the state government would assess crop loss and compensate affected farmers.
A total of 28 teams of NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in vulnerable districts, with 10 additional teams en route by air. The Coast Guard has also been put on standby to assist in maritime emergencies.