Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday woke up to a day of heavy rain, strong winds and widespread disruption as Cyclone Ditwah continued to churn over the southwest Bay of Bengal. With the system inching closer to the coastline, local administrations across the region moved into precaution mode, such as shutting educational institutions, cancelling flights and preparing for possible flooding in vulnerable pockets.
The storm’s effects are also being felt beyond India. Sri Lanka, which has reported deaths and significant damage, is now receiving emergency supplies from New Delhi as part of an expanding humanitarian mission.
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Cyclone Ditwah updates
Schools, colleges shut; Pondicherry University halts exams
- Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Puducherry and Karaikal declared a holiday for both schools and colleges.
- Villupuram’s Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts closed schools for the day, while colleges continue to operate unless conditions deteriorate.
- Pondicherry Central University postponed all Saturday exams after a Coast Guard alert signalled worsening weather. A revised schedule will be published later.
Intense rain forecast for coastal and delta districts
- The Regional Meteorological Centre expects strong rain bands to hit Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvannamalai through the day.
- Delta areas, such as Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, and Pudukottai, are likely to receive the heaviest downpour as Ditwah’s outer circulation pushes inland.
- Alerts are also in place for parts of central Tamil Nadu, including Ariyalur, Salem, Perambalur, Tiruchi and Kallakurichi.
- Officials have urged people to remain indoors and avoid flooded stretches.
Flight cancellations at Chennai Airport
- Fifty-four flights were cancelled as a precaution, most of them ATR turboprop services that are more vulnerable during strong winds.
- Routes to Madurai, Salem, Bengaluru, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Hyderabad and Jaffna were among those affected.
- Airport teams have warned travellers that further cancellations are possible depending on how the cyclone shifts.
- Passengers have been advised to check airline updates before heading to the airport.
India dispatches emergency supplies to Sri Lanka
- A C-130J aircraft carrying around 12 tonnes of tents, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, blankets, and ready-to-eat food landed in Colombo as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.
- Earlier, INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri delivered dry and fresh rations to support families hit by the cyclone.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India would continue to assist Sri Lanka as it deals with the aftermath.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the affected families and confirmed India’s readiness to send additional help if necessary.
Fishermen advised to avoid the sea
- Authorities in coastal districts have repeatedly asked fishermen to stay ashore, warning of rough seas and dangerous wind conditions.
- Ports and harbours remain under close watch as the cyclone draws nearer.
Emergency teams on alert across Tamil Nadu
- Disaster-response units, fire services and local bodies have been stationed across the state for quick deployment.
- Low-lying neighbourhoods, particularly in Chennai and the delta districts, have been asked to take precautions in case of waterlogging or sudden flooding.
- District control rooms are tracking rainfall movement and coordinating with state authorities throughout the day.
Also Read: Cyclone Ditwah: Satellite image, path and track of cyclonic storm
