Cyclone Ditwah Tracker Highlights: IMD predicts extremely heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal

Cyclone Ditwah Highlights: Updates to this blog have ended

The Indian Air Force on Sunday said that under Operation Sagar Bandhu, IAF C-17 airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune. The ongoing operation has tapped into domestic support operations.

India has launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to aid Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah's devastation. The Indian Air Force delivered 21 tonnes of relief material along with over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo to assist those affected by severe floods. (ANI)

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken extensive preparedness measures to ensure telecom network resilience in view of Cyclone Ditwah over the Bay of Bengal, likely to impact coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

DoT has set up a 24x7 Control Room to Safeguard Telecom Connectivity amid the Cyclone Ditwah threat, coordinate with service providers, and facilitate prompt responses through district administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Communications said. (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continues its northward trajectory over the southwest Bay of Bengal, steadily moving closer to the shoreline.

IMD predicted heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall with isolated Extremely Heavy Rainfall very likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Puducherry & Karaikal.

Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall very likely at isolated places over Rayalaseema. Heavy Rainfall very likely at isolated places over Kerala & Mahe and Telangana, said IMD in a post on X.

Sri Lanka continued relief and rescue efforts on Sunday with India’s assistance in the aftermath of catastrophic floods, landslides and devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah that killed over 200 people. (PTI)

Nellore district administration has been put on high alert in view of Cyclone Ditwah. Several areas received heavy rainfall on Sunday morning.

Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas has led to a strong inflow of floodwater into the Somasila reservoir. (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continues its northward trajectory over the southwest Bay of Bengal, steadily moving closer to the shoreline.

According to the IMD's 5:30 am update on Sunday, Cyclone Ditwah moved nearly northwards at a speed of 7 kmph over the past six hours and was centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts. (ANI)

As Cyclone 'Ditwah' intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall lashes coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched an all-out preparedness drive, including specialised teams deployed across vulnerable districts and additional forces airlifted to Chennai to tackle potential urban flooding and structural collapses. (ANI)

The death toll mounted to over 500 from floods and landslides caused by torrential rains across three countries in Southeast Asia, officials said on Sunday, as relief efforts for tens of thousands of displaced people continued over the weekend. (Reuters)

The Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka said on Saturday that Chetak helicopters carried out rescue operations for people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.

The embassy said that India stood firmly with Sri Lanka.

"Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant carried out search and rescue sorties in Sri Lanka today, supporting people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this difficult time, working together to save lives and extend timely relief," the Embassy said.

Three people have died in rain-related incidents caused by Cyclone Ditawh in Tamil Nadu, state Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said on Sunday.

Approximately 56,000 hectares of farmland have been flooded in the state, he said and detailed that 24,000 farmlands in Nagapattinam, 15,000 in Tiruvarur, and 8,000 in Mayiladuthurai were flooded. (ANI)

Sri Lankan authorities reported nearly 200 dead and dozens more missing after the devastating cyclone hit Colombo.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said at least 193 people had died following a week of heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, while 228 people were missing.

Amid Cyclone Ditwah crisis, Operation Sagar Bandhu continues to extend assistance and aid to Sri Lanka. In the backdrop of NDRF's involvement in search and rescue operation, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in a post on X said, "@NDRFHQ personnel, in close coordination with local authorities, continue to undertake relief operations in Sri Lanka. #OperationSagarBandhu."

Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and Villuppuram districts are on IMD's orange alert for heavy rains.

Cyclone Ditwah killed at least 159 people across Sri Lanka, with another 203 people missing, the DMC reported, following a week of heavy rains.

Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Tamil Nadu, Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said on Sunday.

As many as 149 cattle died and 57,000 hectares of farmland have been affected in the delta districts, the minister for Revenue and Disaster Management said.

"Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents since last evening. While two persons died due to wall collapse in Tuticorin and Thanjavur, respectively, a 20-year-old youth died due to electrocution in Mayiladuthurai," he said while briefing reporters at the State Emergency Operations Centre.

Private weather bloggers said the cyclone would weaken into a deep depression while Mayiladuthurai recorded the heavy rainfall of 140-220 mm in the last 24 hours.

"The cyclone will weaken further into a deep depression and then to a depression inching northward. It is expected that the system to stay in the open water for one more day, dissipating in the Chennai coast without making the landfall process," another private blogger said.

Speaking about precautionary measures taken on Cyclone Ditwah, NDRF Deputy Commandant Kapil K said, “Our teams are equipped to deal with a flood-like situation in Chennai.”

“To tackle a flood-like situation, we have inflatable rubber boats, we have life jackets, and our men are trained in giving medical first response. We are also trained in rope rescue items,” he told PTI.

Due to the impact of cyclone, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall are likely to occur over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts and Puducherry and Karaikal over the next 24 hours.

Flood alerts have been issued for most of the eastern suburbs in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on Sunday morning, officials said as the island nation reels from catastrophic floods, landslides and devastation from Cyclone Ditwah.

Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige said the alerts were issued due to River Kelani rising to dangerous levels. He said schools in the danger areas are being used as relief centres for the flood displaced.

People have been warned to evacuate. However, the officials lamented a marked reluctance on their part to heed warnings.

Nellore district administration has been put on high alert in view of Cyclone Ditwah. Several areas received heavy rainfall on Sunday morning.

Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas has led to a strong inflow of floodwater into the Somasila reservoir.

As a result, the Penna River is flowing vigorously with the increased floodwater.

IMD Senior Scientist Ananda Kumar Das told ANI that Cyclone Ditwah will impact parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, “...Today and tomorrow, it will be impacting the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh.”

“mainly extremely heavy rainfall will occur over the northern Tamil Nadu coastal air belt, and heavy to very heavy rainfall in the south coastal area... There is no sign of relief today, as it moves north along the coast, and by evening, it will be near Chennai in the sea. Rain will continue throughout the day today, and it will occur tomorrow in the south coastal areas..”

According to the IMD's 5:30 am update on Sunday, Cyclone Ditwah moved nearly northwards at a speed of 7 kmph over the past six hours and was centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.

Five teams of the 6th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been airlifted from Vadodara to Chennai to strengthen emergency preparedness as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and impacts the eastern coastal regions of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) hoists Danger Signal Number 5 (D-V) in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore in view of Cyclone Ditwah

Signal 5 means a cyclonic storm of slight or moderate intensity will cross the coast, keeping the port to its left.

Strong land winds and rough seas under the influence of Cyclone Ditwah have forced fishermen ashore near Devaneri Kuppam in Mamallapuram. Coastal authorities continue to monitor the situation as safety precautions remain in place.

IMD issues an orange alert for Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla districts of Andhra Pradesh amid Cyclone Ditwah.

Rainwater has accumulated outside the sanctum of the Arulmigu Vedaranyeswara Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam following heavy rains over the past few days.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, offering all necessary support from the state for the Indians stranded at the Colombo airport due to Cyclone Ditwah.

Cyclone Ditwah lay centred over the Karaikal coast in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, says IMD

At 5:30 AM on Sunday, Cyclone Ditwah lay centred over the same region, near latitude 11.1°N and longitude 80.6°E, about 90 km east-northeast of Karaikal (India), 120 km northeast of Vedaranniyam (India), 130 km southeast of Puducherry (India), 170 km north-northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka) and 220 km south-southeast of Chennai (India).

It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during next 24 hours.

In view of Cyclone Ditwah bearing down on Tamil Nadu, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness measures on Saturday to ensure minimum disruption to rail services and passenger safety.

The coastal areas expected to be hit by the impending cyclone fall mainly under the Southern Railway zone.

"A dedicated network of helplines and passenger-assistance desks must be established to support travellers facing uncertainties due to cancellations or rerouting," a press statement from the railway ministry said.

High tides, strong winds and rainfall witnessed in Puducherry as the effect of Cyclone Ditwah intensifies.

Strong winds and rough sea conditions witnessed in Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, as the effect of Cyclone Ditwah intensifies. Visuals from Marina Beach.

IMD issued a ‘Yellow’ alert for various districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Chennai, for the next three hours. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightening expected.