Red Alert in TN, Puducherry, AP as Cyclone Ditwah Approaches
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as cyclonic storm Ditwah over the southwestern Bay of Bengal is moving northwards at a speed of seven kilometers per hour, posing a serious threat to the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining southern Andhra Pradesh.
At 20:30 IST, the storm was centered near 10.5°N latitude and 80.6°E longitude, approximately 110 km northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 80 km east of Vedaranniyam, 100 km east-southeast of Karaikal, 180 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 280 km south of Chennai. It is expected to move north-northwestward and reach the southwestern Bay of Bengal near the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast early in the morning of November 30.
IMD has warned that the cyclone will come within 60 km, 50 km and 25 km of the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline respectively from midnight today. Heavy to very heavy rains are expected at many places with extremely heavy rain at isolated places in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu and Puducherry-Karaikal districts.
Other districts including Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet are likely to witness heavy rains; Isolated areas in Vellore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul and Theni may also experience significant showers.
IMD advised residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas and follow local government instructions. Fishermen have been warned not to swim along the affected coasts.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka said on Saturday that Chetak helicopters were carrying out rescue operations for people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
The embassy said India stands with Sri Lanka. “As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, Chetak helicopters of INS Vikrant carried out search and rescue operations in Sri Lanka today, supporting people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. India stands with Sri Lanka at this difficult time, working together to save lives and provide timely assistance,” the embassy said.
Two Chetak helicopters of INS Vikrant took off to carry out rescue operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday.
Jaishankar added that there were Sri Lankan Air Force personnel on board the helicopters.
In a post on X he said: “Operation Sagar Bandhu: Two Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant took off for Search and Rescue Operations along with Sri Lankan personnel.”
