Cyclonic storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast and the depression (remnant of cyclonic storm ‘Senyar’) over the Strait of Malacca are expected to bring rains

Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Heavy Rainfall Alerts Across Tamil Nadu Through the Weekend

CHENNAI — Cyclone Ditwah brings intense rainfall across Tamil Nadu through the weekend as the weather system intensifies over the southwest Bay of Bengal and tracks northwest toward the Indian coastline, meteorological officials say Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues red and orange alerts for several districts, including Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Puducherry, warning residents to prepare for heavy downpours, strong winds, and potential localized flooding.

The cyclone forms earlier this week over the central Bay and steadily gains strength due to warm sea surface temperatures and favorable wind patterns. As of Thursday morning, the system is centered several hundred kilometers southeast of the Tamil Nadu coast, moving slowly but intensifying, with IMD forecasting land interaction by the weekend.

Authorities warn that the storm’s impact may be felt statewide, with coastal districts likely to experience the heaviest rainfall and rough sea conditions. Emergency teams are placed on standby, and fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea until further notice.

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IMD Predicts Widespread Rainfall, Strong Winds

The IMD’s latest bulletin indicates that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected across coastal and interior Tamil Nadu, with isolated extremely heavy spells in the delta districts. Rainfall may extend into parts of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as the system shifts northward after nearing the coast.

Wind speeds along the coast may reach 55–65 km/h, with gusts up to 75 km/h in exposed areas. The agency warns of potential damage to kutcha structures, falling tree branches, and waterlogging in low-lying urban zones.

A senior IMD official says the system is currently showing signs of further organization. “Cyclone Ditwah continues to intensify due to favorable oceanic and atmospheric conditions. We expect significant rainfall activity along Tamil Nadu’s coast through Sunday,” the official says.

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Chennai Braces for Urban Flooding

Chennai experiences steady rainfall since early Thursday, prompting the city corporation to activate pumps, clear drains, and monitor vulnerable flood-prone neighborhoods such as Velachery, T. Nagar, Madipakkam, and parts of North Chennai.

Officials say the city may see heavy spells during late-night and early-morning hours, increasing the risk of temporary waterlogging. Traffic police deploy additional personnel to manage slow-moving vehicles on arterial roads, including Anna Salai, GST Road, and OMR.

Chennai Metro Water prepares additional tankers in case of disruption to supply lines, while the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board alerts consumers about possible power fluctuations in cyclone-prone zones.

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Coastal Districts on High Alert

District administrations across Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi begin pre-emptive evacuations in areas susceptible to storm surges and coastal flooding. Fishing hamlets are informed to move boats to safer inland locations, and shelters are opened for residents in high-risk zones.

Sea conditions remain rough, with wave heights expected to rise significantly as the cyclone approaches the coast. The Fisheries Department reiterates its advisory preventing fishermen from entering the sea until at least Monday.

Cuddalore District Collector states that essential supplies have been stocked in cyclone shelters and school buildings designated as temporary relief centers. “We are ensuring that power backups, drinking water, and basic medical assistance are readily available,” the official says.

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State Government Activates Disaster Response Mechanisms

Tamil Nadu’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department activates state and district-level control rooms to track real-time developments. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) position teams in Chennai, Villupuram, Tiruvallur, and Nagapattinam.

Rescue workers prepare equipment including inflatable boats, chainsaws, ropes, medical kits, and communication devices. Hospitals are instructed to maintain critical care beds, fuel reserves for generators, and emergency medicine stocks.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urges residents to remain calm, avoid unnecessary travel, and rely on official bulletins. “Our priority is to minimize loss of life and ensure timely response across all districts,” he says during a review meeting.

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Air, Road, and Rail Disruptions Expected

While flights remain operational as of Thursday afternoon, airport authorities say delays are likely if rainfall intensifies. Chennai International Airport deploys additional staff to monitor runway visibility and drainage systems.

Local bus services report slower movement in southern and eastern parts of Chennai due to waterlogged streets. Southern Railway issues advisories for commuters and warns that suburban rail services may experience delays if tracks get inundated.

Private transport operators expect lower passenger turnout over the weekend, with several intercity buses initiating flexible cancellation policies.

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Historical Context: Cyclones in Tamil Nadu’s Seasonal Pattern

Tamil Nadu typically sees peak cyclone activity during October–December, with several systems forming in the Bay of Bengal each year. While many dissipate or change direction, some reach severe cyclonic intensity, bringing widespread rainfall and wind damage.

Cyclone Ditwah follows a pattern similar to recent cyclones Nivar (2020), Burevi (2020), and Mandous (2022), all of which brought heavy rainfall but varied in landfall intensity. Meteorologists say each system is influenced by unique oceanic conditions such as sea surface temperatures, wind shear, and humidity.

Experts argue that climate change may affect cyclone frequency and intensity in the Bay region, with warmer waters enabling rapid intensification of weaker systems.

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Multiple Perspectives on Preparedness

While authorities assure that contingency measures are in place, civic groups highlight the need for improved drainage systems, especially in densely populated urban districts. Environmental experts say that unregulated urban expansion, blocked waterways, and shrinking wetlands worsen flooding during seasonal storms.

Local residents express concern about power outages and waterlogging, particularly in areas historically vulnerable to flooding. Some shopkeepers in low-lying regions say they are moving goods to higher shelves as a precaution.

However, state officials emphasize that improvements made since the 2015 Chennai floods—including desilting projects, expanded pumping stations, and early warning systems—have significantly strengthened the city’s resilience.

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Forecast: Rain to Peak Over Weekend, Gradual Improvement Expected

Meteorologists predict that rainfall intensity will peak between Friday night and Sunday morning. As the system interacts with land, it may weaken gradually while bringing widespread moderate rainfall to northern Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

By early next week, the system is expected to move inland as a deep depression or well-marked low-pressure area, bringing lighter but steady rainfall. The IMD says it will issue fresh bulletins every three hours as the cyclone evolves.

Authorities continue urging the public to stay indoors during heavy spells, avoid flooded roads, and follow updates through official channels rather than unverified social media posts.