Cyclone Ditwah Tracker: Cyclonic storm hovers near southeastern Chennai, orange alert in Puducherry; Andhra Pradesh on alert

Cyclone Ditwah tracker: The weather department has predicted that the storm will move northwest and reach the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the southern Andhra Pradesh coast by November 30. Orange alert issued; helplines activated.

The weather department has issued an orange alert for Puducherry between November 28 and December 1, urging residents to remain vigilant. (File photo)

Cyclone Ditwah Tracker: The cyclonic storm Ditwah, formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, was lying close to Pottuvil, about 700 kilometres from the southeastern coast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The weather department has predicted that the storm will move northwest and reach the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the southern Andhra Pradesh coast by November 30.

Cylcone Ditwah Tracker: Follow live updates here

Orange alert in Puducherry

The weather department has issued an orange alert for Puducherry between November 28 and December 1, urging residents to remain vigilant. Puducherry District Collector A Kulothungan was quoted by PTI as saying that people should avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.

He advised the public to avoid standing under trees, lamp posts, or inside old buildings. Children, in particular, should not play in open areas. He added that people can contact 1077, 1070, 112, or the Disaster Management Authority via WhatsApp at 94889 81070 for guidance and preventive measures to protect themselves against nature’s fury.

Heavy rain likely in Andhra Pradesh; authorities on alert

The IMD has also forecast heavy rain and strong winds over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region for three days starting Saturday. Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai districts are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall for two days from November 29, it said.

Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea amid expected rough conditions over the next few days. Farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions considering the likelihood of strong winds and heavy rain across several parts of Andhra Pradesh.

District authorities are closely monitoring weather developments and have been directed to remain on alert as the cyclone continues to intensify. Officials said control rooms are being activated to coordinate emergency responses, and alerts are being sent to vulnerable habitations.

The deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm at 11:30 am on Thursday. This was the second consecutive day that a cyclone developed in the north Indian Ocean basin. On Wednesday, Cyclone Senyar had formed near Indonesia, though it was short-lived. Ditwah is the third cyclonic storm to develop in this basin during this year’s post-monsoon season.

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