The Cyclonic Storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka & Tamil Nadu coasts moved nearly northwards with a speed of five kilometres per hour during the past 6 hours and lay centered over the same region, about 80 km east of Karaikal, 100 km east-northeast of Vedaranniyam, 160 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 250 km south of Chennai.
It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during the next 24 hours. While moving northwards the cyclonic storm will be centered over the southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance 50 km and 25 km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by morning and evening of today.
According to the update from the Regional Met department, a RED ALERT has been given to Cuddalore, Nagapattinam. Moderate rain has been predicted in 12 coastal districts, including Chennai and Kanchipuram and widespread light to moderate rains at other districts of the State. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall will occur in most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and Rayalaseema today.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that the officials are in constant touch with the Coast Guard and authorities at the State and Union Territories. The Union Home Secretary reviewed the preparedness with the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and directed them to maintain high alertness and coordination. The Coast Guard has deployed three ships and one aircraft off the Tamil Nadu Coast and advised small vessels to return to the harbour.
The Regional Operations Centre of the Coast Guard are broadcasting weather warnings in local languages. 14 Disaster Response teams have been kept on standby to act in case of emergency. Ten additional NDRF teams have been airlifted to Chennai from Pune and Vadodara.
