Cyclone Ditwah weakens into deep depression, IMD warns of more heavy rain in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Ditwah continued to weaken over the southwest Bay of Bengal late Sunday, slipping into the category of a deep depression even as heavy rainfall persisted across several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the system, which had earlier prompted a red alert for parts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh, is expected to weaken further into a depression by Monday noon.

In its 2 am update, the IMD located the centre of the deep depression roughly 50 km off the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coasts, drifting northward at a speed of 10 kmph. The system, which has been moving slowly along the coastline, remained positioned about 90 km south-southeast of both Chennai and Puducherry, 110 km east-northeast of Cuddalore and nearly 180 km north-northeast of Karaikal.

Officials expect Ditwah to continue tracking northwards, maintaining proximity of nearly 30 km from the coastline on Monday morning before weakening further. However, despite the reduced intensity, rainfall activity is set to persist. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in isolated pockets of Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore and Ranipet. Light to moderate showers are expected across most other districts of Tamil Nadu, with thunderstorms and lightning likely in one or two locations.

Wind conditions are also expected to remain strong. Gale-force winds reaching 60–70 kmph, with gusts touching 80 kmph, are likely along the north coastal belt of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Squally winds of 55–65 kmph may impact the adjoining coastal districts, including parts of south coastal Tamil Nadu.

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are also bracing for the spillover impact. South coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may receive widespread moderate rain, with isolated heavy spells. Light to moderate rain is predicted for north coastal Andhra Pradesh, along with heavy rain in select areas. Odisha could see similar conditions, particularly in its southern districts.

In Sri Lanka, the humanitarian toll of Cyclone Ditwah has risen sharply. The country’s disaster management agency reported 334 deaths from floods and landslides, with nearly 400 people missing and over 1.3 million residents affected. India has been assisting evacuation and relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with the final group of stranded Indian passengers airlifted from Colombo on Sunday.

Back home, the question of school closures remains in focus. While several Tamil Nadu districts had shut schools and colleges earlier, there was no official confirmation as of December 1 on whether closures would continue. Students have been advised to check directly with their institutions. Meanwhile, Puducherry has declared a holiday for all private and government-aided educational institutions on Monday, according to home and education minister A Namassivayam.

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