The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah moves closer to the coast.
Heavy to very heavy rain, along with extremely heavy downpours at isolated spots, is likely over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu and the Puducherry–Karaikal region, the IMD said.
Strong winds and rain have already begun lashing several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
In Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district, heavy showers led to excess water from the city and nearby areas flowing toward the Port Trust coastal zone, where it eventually merged with the sea.
The sea in the region has been unusually turbulent, with marine algae and other seabed vegetation washing ashore in large quantities due to the intensified wave activity.
The district administration has urged residents to remain cautious amid the heavy rain and rough sea conditions, advising people to avoid coastal areas unless absolutely necessary.
According to the IMD, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move in a north-northwest (NNW) direction and approach the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coasts by tomorrow.
The cyclone is likely to come within 25 km of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has set up 6000 camps all over the state, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran said on Saturday.
"We have placed as many camps for people to stay in the cyclone-affected areas. As of now, we have set up 6000 camps all over Tamil Nadu, but people have come in very small numbers... Rain (clouds) is now moving from Ramanathapuram district towards the coastal districts, and there is not much impact due to the rain," KKSSR Ramachandran said.
The Minister further informed that rainwater has affected the paddy cultivation in the delta districts of the Cauvery River. The Minister said that the government will also provide compensation to farmers.
"In the Delta Districts, paddy cultivation is affected due to flooding from rainwater. We expect it to drain within 2 days, and once it does, we will calculate the loss and provide compensation to farmers," he said.
The Minister further informed that 28 teams of both NDRF and SDRF have been deployed to provide relief to civilians.
"We have 28 teams of both NDRF and SDRF deployed. We have asked an extra 10 teams. They are also coming through the flight now. We have also asked the Coast Guard for help if any disaster happens," he said.
Cyclone Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Tomorrow evening, has killed 123 people in Sri Lanka with another 130 reported missing.
The extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the country, sending almost 44,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Saturday.
Heavy to very heavy rain, along with extremely heavy downpours at isolated spots, is likely over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu and the Puducherry–Karaikal region, the IMD said.
Strong winds and rain have already begun lashing several coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
In Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district, heavy showers led to excess water from the city and nearby areas flowing toward the Port Trust coastal zone, where it eventually merged with the sea.
The sea in the region has been unusually turbulent, with marine algae and other seabed vegetation washing ashore in large quantities due to the intensified wave activity.
The district administration has urged residents to remain cautious amid the heavy rain and rough sea conditions, advising people to avoid coastal areas unless absolutely necessary.
According to the IMD, Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move in a north-northwest (NNW) direction and approach the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coasts by tomorrow.
The cyclone is likely to come within 25 km of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has set up 6000 camps all over the state, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management KKSSR Ramachandran said on Saturday.
"We have placed as many camps for people to stay in the cyclone-affected areas. As of now, we have set up 6000 camps all over Tamil Nadu, but people have come in very small numbers... Rain (clouds) is now moving from Ramanathapuram district towards the coastal districts, and there is not much impact due to the rain," KKSSR Ramachandran said.
The Minister further informed that rainwater has affected the paddy cultivation in the delta districts of the Cauvery River. The Minister said that the government will also provide compensation to farmers.
"In the Delta Districts, paddy cultivation is affected due to flooding from rainwater. We expect it to drain within 2 days, and once it does, we will calculate the loss and provide compensation to farmers," he said.
The Minister further informed that 28 teams of both NDRF and SDRF have been deployed to provide relief to civilians.
"We have 28 teams of both NDRF and SDRF deployed. We have asked an extra 10 teams. They are also coming through the flight now. We have also asked the Coast Guard for help if any disaster happens," he said.
Cyclone Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Tomorrow evening, has killed 123 people in Sri Lanka with another 130 reported missing.
The extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the country, sending almost 44,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Saturday.
