After leaving the Sri Lankan coast, Cyclone Ditwah was fast approaching the Tamil Nadu shoreline on Saturday night. Along with Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh was also put under red alert as the cyclone is approaching the Vedaranyam coast of Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu.
The India Meteorological Department has warned that Cyclone Ditwah might intensify as it moves north-northwestwards. It is expected to approach southwest Bay of Bengal near north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts. While the red alert in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are effective till November 30, Andhra will be under red alert till December 1.
Heavy rainfall is expected in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry till Sunday. Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts were the worst hit. Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Tiruchirappalli districts and Puducherry's Karaikal received heavy rains.
"There could be a slight intensification. With this wind speed, the cyclone storm will continue to move north-northwestwards and reach near the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast by 30th early morning," IMD director general of meteorology, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, told ANI.
Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said 28 disaster response teams from the SDRF and NDRF are on standby. "We are planning to airlift 10 more teams from other states. The Air Force and Coast Guard have also been alerted. Additionally, monitoring teams will be sent to the districts tomorrow," he added.
At least 153 people were killed and over 191 went missing in Sri Lanka. As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, India sent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, including 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh food supplies. India's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frigate INS Udaigiri were deployed for relief duty.
