Tamil Nadu, Dec 01 : Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continued to weaken rapidly on Monday as it tracked parallel to the Tamil Nadu Puducherry coastline, significantly reducing the heavy rainfall threat for Chennai and the northern districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now classified the system as a Deep Depression (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah), noting that it did not make landfall and lingered over the southwest Bay of Bengal through the night.
Doppler radar readings from Chennai and Karaikal showed a steady collapse in the storm’s convective bands, with the centre of the Deep Depression positioned nearly 90 km off Chennai and Puducherry at midnight. With its intensity dropping further, the IMD predicts the system will weaken into a Depression and later a well marked low pressure area, marking the end of this severe weather phase in northern Tamil Nadu.
Rainfall Eases Across North Tamil Nadu
Despite intermittent heavy showers across the delta districts on Sunday night, overall rainfall intensity has reduced. Light to moderate rain with isolated heavier spells in Tiruvallur is expected today. Chennai will remain cloudy with occasional rain and thunder.
Rainfall (24 hours ending Sunday morning):
Karaikal – 19 cm
Sembanarkovil (Mayiladuthurai) – 17 cm
Nagapattinam & Mayiladuthurai – 15 cm each
Sirkazhi, Tiruvarur – 14 cm
Thangachimadam, Thondi, Tirupoondi – 13 cm
Kodiyakarai, Vedaranyam, Nannilam, Sethiyathoppu – 12 cm
Rain activity may continue in parts of the state until December 6.
Fishermen Advisory Still in Force
Squally winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely over the Gulf of Mannar, Comorin region and southwest Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to avoid these waters until conditions stabilise.
Sri Lanka Disaster Toll Rises to 334
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported a sharp escalation in casualties due to landslides and flooding triggered by Ditwah. According to Daily Mirror figures:
334 dead
370 missing
Over 11 lakh people affected
District-wise toll:
Kandy: 88 deaths, 150 missing
Badulla: 71 deaths
Nuwara Eliya: 68 deaths
Matale: 23 deaths
Severe damage to bridges, roads and hillside communities continues to hamper rescue operations.
India Intensifies Relief Under Operation Sagar Bandhu
The Indian Air Force airlifted 335 Indians from Sri Lanka to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night. Using Mi-17V5 helicopters and specialised medical teams, the IAF reached remote landslide-hit areas in Kotmale where roads remain cut off.
Operations included:
Evacuating 45 stranded civilians, including 6 critical patients and 4 infants
Deploying 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel
Delivering emergency relief materials
Retrieving six bodies, including four children
Evacuating over 400 Indians so far
Rescue missions will continue based on weather conditions. The Indian High Commission has activated a WhatsApp helpline: +94 773727832
Impact in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu recorded three rain-related deaths two in wall collapse incidents and one electrocution. More than 57,000 hectares of farmland have been affected, and 149 livestock reportedly lost.
Thirty-eight NDRF and SDRF teams remain on standby.
Railways on High Alert
Southern Railway has activated cyclone standard operating procedures across Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli divisions with continuous inspection of tracks, overhead lines and station facilities.
Why the Name ‘Ditwah’?
Suggested by Yemen, the name refers to Detwah Lagoon, a large saline lagoon on the northwest coast of Socotra.