Cyclone Ditwah in the Bay of Bengal has created havoc in the neighbouring country of Sri Lanka, and per the Indian Meteorological Department, it moved 10 kmph within the last six hours and was over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining areas of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts, on 29 November.
On Saturday evening, Chennai and other neighbouring cities received heavy rainfall, amidst the government’s efforts to deploy measures to fight any mishap. The centre was located 110 km northeast of Jaffna(Sri Lanka), about 80 km from India’s Vedaranyam, about 100 km southeast of Karaikal, 190 km south, and southeast of Puducherry, and 290 km south of Chennai. The agency further predicted that the formation might reach the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on 30 November.
The storm brought heavy rains in the districts located within the watershed of the Cauvery delta, including the coastal city of Ramanathapuram. A red alert has also been issued for Puducherry, South Andhra Pradesh, and the Northern parts of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka, the Island nation, is facing the heaviest toll of the storm and has declared a state of emergency in the country.
Heavy rain and floods have led to a reported casualty count of 132, while around 200 people are reported missing. As per authorities, more than 15,000 houses have been destroyed, and 78,000 residents have been sent to temporary shelters.
The government of Tamil Nadu has further warned the fishermen not to go near the seas during rough weather or high waves. Preparations to evacuate people from lower-lying areas are also underway. Tourists have also been asked not to visit Dhanushkodi on the southern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. KKSSR Ramchandran, the minister of revenue and disaster management in the state, has stated that the government is ready to launch a safety and rescue mission if needed at any time.
Talking to the PTI, he said that 28 teams, including SDRF and NDRF, are on standby, and the government is planning to get 10 more teams from other states. Other than this, the respective teams of coast guards and the Air Force have also been alerted to be prepared.
