Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies as It Approaches Tamil Nadu, Flights Halted and Warnings Issued

As Cyclone Ditwah nears the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, local authorities have ramped up their response. With airport flight cancellations and widespread alerts, the region is preparing for potentially dangerous winds and torrential rain in the next couple of days.

Currently traversing coastal Sri Lanka and the adjacent southwest Bay of Bengal, the cyclone has gained strength, leading to orange alerts for multiple districts. Victims in Sri Lanka have faced severe impacts, with reports indicating at least 123 fatalities and over 130 individuals unaccounted for. Authorities noted that nearly 44,000 residents have been relocated to shelters due to extensive rain and flooding.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Cyclone Ditwah was advancing north-northwest at a speed of 8 kmph early Saturday. By 5:30 am, it was situated over the southwest Bay of Bengal, approximately 300 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 400 km south of Chennai.

Forecasts suggest that the cyclone will continue its trajectory towards the coastlines of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh, anticipated to arrive by Sunday morning. Current wind speeds along the coast range from 50 to 60 kmph but are expected to escalate to 70–80 kmph, with gusts possibly reaching up to 90 kmph. The already turbulent sea conditions are predicted to worsen significantly until Sunday.

In light of the forthcoming severe weather, Chennai Airport has cancelled 54 flights scheduled for Saturday. This includes regional services to cities such as Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Jaffna. The decision was made after evaluating the risks associated with impending strong winds and heavy rainfall. Passengers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel to the airport.

Rail services have also been impacted, with trains from Chennai, Kanyakumari, and Madurai to Rameswaram halted at Mandapam, where government buses are being arranged for passenger transport. Services from Rameswaram are similarly restricted.

The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued alerts for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across various districts. Schools and colleges have been closed in areas including Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and others. In some districts, only schools have shut down for the time being. Pondicherry University has postponed exams and declared a holiday in light of the severe weather warnings issued by the Coast Guard.

Chennai and nearby regions are forecast to experience heavy rainfall coupled with strong winds. Areas such as Chengalpattu, Villupuram, and Cuddalore are expecting heavy to extremely heavy rain, while others like Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur may see intense downpours. Delta regions, including Thanjavur and Pudukottai, are also likely to encounter significant rainfall.

Officials urge residents to stay indoors, avoid flooded zones, and adhere to government advisories. Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the ocean due to hazardous conditions. A large number of mechanized and country boats have been securely anchored along the Thanjavur coast.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has conferred with the District Collectors of 14 districts to assess preparedness strategies. A total of 16 teams from the State Disaster Response Force, alongside 12 from the National Disaster Response Force, have been meticulously deployed to areas prone to flooding.

As Cyclone Ditwah is predicted to strengthen further, authorities maintain heightened alertness and emphasize the importance of public caution until the situation stabilizes.