Cyclone Ditwah Threatens South India as Sri Lanka Faces Devastation

As Cyclone Ditwah advances towards north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, authorities intensify measures amid an orange alert. The storm has caused devastation in Sri Lanka, with 69 reported deaths. India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu to aid Sri Lanka, while Villupuram in India braces for impact, closing schools and preparing rescue operations.

Cyclonic storm Ditwah is currently advancing towards the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, prompting authorities to bolster preparedness. The weather system, which is traversing coastal Sri Lanka and the adjacent southwest Bay of Bengal, has led to an orange alert in the region.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclone Ditwah traveled north-northwestwards at a speed of seven kmph over the past six hours, and as of 23:30 hrs IST on Friday, was positioned near latitude 8.8°N and longitude 80.8°E. It lay approximately 60 km west-northwest of Trincomalee, 160 km northwest of Batticaloa, 260 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 370 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and nearly 470 km south of Chennai.

The IMD anticipates the system to maintain its north-northwestward trajectory along the Sri Lankan coast and the adjoining Bay waters, reaching near north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by early November 30. In response, Villupuram district officials have intensified precautionary measures, including school closures and rescue preparations, anticipating heavy rainfall and potential hazards.

(With inputs from agencies.)