Heavy rains to lash Chennai as cyclone Ditwah moves parallel to Tamil Nadu coast

The regional meteorological centre in Chennai has predicted heavy downpour over Chennai and neighbouring districts in 24 hours as cyclone Ditwah moves close to the north Tamil Nadu coast.

According to the weather agency, the cyclone is "likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours." The IMD observed, "While moving northwards, the cyclonic storm will be centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 60km and 30km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline."

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Vellore, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet. It has issued yellow alert for Puducherry, Tirupathur, Villupuram and Tiruvanamalai. According to its forecast, "heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at a few places over Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Vellore districts."  The IMD has predicted isolated places in Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villuppuram districts and Puducherry. 

The weather agency has advised fishermen not to venture into the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, and Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area. "Those out at sea should avoid the southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, Comorin area and along and off Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, south Andhra Pradesh; adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal till December 1 and southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep and along and off Kerala coast till November 30.