Cyclone ‘Ditwah’: Orange Alert Issued in Coastal Areas, Schools and Colleges Shut in Several Districts

Chennai (The Uttam Hindu): Cyclone Ditwah, formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the coastal region of Sri Lanka, continues to move northward at a speed of 7 km per hour. The cyclone is likely to affect the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh on November 30. In view of the expected impact, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for coastal regions.

According to the IMD, at 2:30 am on Saturday, the cyclone’s centre was located at 9.2°N and 80.8°E—about 80 km northwest of Trincomalee and around 430 km south of Chennai. The system is expected to move in a north-northwest direction and approach the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by November 30.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several districts of Tamil Nadu due to the cyclone. Extremely heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal. Heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast for Thoothukudi, Sivaganga, Ariyalur, and Mayiladuthurai. Some areas of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, and Cuddalore are also likely to experience heavy rain.

Due to the severe weather alert, schools and colleges have been ordered to remain closed in many districts. Schools have been shut in Ariyalur, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, and Villupuram. Schools and colleges will remain closed in Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Perambalur, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

Authorities have advised people living in coastal areas to stay alert. Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea, as high waves and strong winds are expected. Relief and disaster management teams have been placed on standby to respond to any emergency.