Orange alert as cyclone 'Ditwah' nears coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

The India Meteorological Department IMD on Friday issued an orange alert for north Tamil Nadu Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts as cyclonic storm Ditwah continued its northnorthwestward movement over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of BengalIn a press bulletin IMD said that the system which has intensified with strong winds and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near the North Tamil Nadu Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning of November 30 prompting widespread advisories for coastal residents and fishermenAccording to the IMD Ditwah moved at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours and at 0230 hrs IST on Friday lay centred near latitude 81degN and longitude 812degE about 50 km south of Trincomalee 70 km northwest of Batticaloa 220 km north of Hambantota 460 km southsoutheast of Puducherry and 560 km southsoutheast of ChennaiThe cyclone is likely to continue tracking northnorthwestwards along the Sri Lanka coast and into the adjoining sea before emerging into the Bay of Bengal Heavy Rainfall is forecast for Tamil Nadu Puducherry and KaraikalOn 27 November 2025 Day 1 light to moderate rain occurred at isolated places over Tamil Nadu with heavier activity over South Tamil Nadu Thunderstorms and lightning appeared at one or two locations Heavy rainfall was recorded in Ramanathapuram Thanjavur Tiruvarur Pudukkottai and Nagapattinam districtsOn 28 November 2025 Day 2 light to moderate rain is likely at many places over South Tamil Nadu and at a few places in the northern parts of the state Puducherry and Karaikal Extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places is forecast over Nagapattinam Thanjavur Tiruvarur and Pudukkottai districtsHeavy to very heavy rain is expected over Ramanathapuram Sivaganga Tiruchirappalli Mayiladuthurai Ariyalur and Karaikal Heavy rain is likely in isolated pockets of Thoothukudi Virudhunagar Madurai Perambalur Cuddalore and PuducherryOn 29 November 2025 Day 3 widespread rain is expected across Tamil Nadu especially in the northern districts Heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy spells may occur in Tiruvarur Nagapattinam Mayiladuthurai Cuddalore Villuppuram Chengalpattu and Puducherry and KaraikalThanjavur Ariyalur Perambalur Kallakurichi Tiruvannamalai Vellore Ranipet Kancheepuram Tiruvallur and Chennai may also receive heavy to very heavy rainfallHeavy rain is forecast for isolated places in Pudukkottai Tiruchirappalli Salem Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Tirupattur Karur and NamakkalOn 30 November 2025 Day 4 light to moderate rain is likely over northern Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast over Tiruvallur Chennai Chengalpattu Kancheepuram and Ranipet Vellore Tirupattur Tiruvannamalai Villuppuram Krishnagiri Dharmapuri districts and Puducherry may see isolated heavy rainOn 1 December 2025 Day 5 light to moderate rain is expected at isolated places across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in a few pocketsCoastal Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal experienced strong surface winds reaching 3545 kmph on November 27 On November 28 these winds are forecast to strengthen further to 4050 kmph at several coastal locationsIn the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area galeforce winds of 6575 kmph gusting to 85 kmph are currently prevailing These winds will intensify to 7080 kmph gusting to 90 kmph by Friday morning Between the morning of November 29 and the morning of November 30 wind speeds may rise further to 8090 kmph with gusts up to 100 kmph before gradually decreasing afterwardsAlong and off the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts squally winds of 5060 kmph gusting to 70 kmph are active and are expected to intensify into gale winds of 6070 kmph gusting to 80 kmph until Friday morningFrom the morning of November 29 to the evening of November 30 winds may peak at 7080 kmph with gusts up to 90 kmph A gradual decrease in wind speed is expected to begin on December 1Along and off the south Tamil Nadu coast squally winds of 5565 kmph gusting to 75 kmph will increase to 6070 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from November 29 until midnight on November 30Over the southwest Bay of Bengal gale winds of 6070 kmph gusting to 80 kmph will intensify to 7080 kmph gusting to 90 kmph with peak winds of 8090 kmph gusting to 100 kmph likely between the morning of November 29 and the morning of November 30In the westcentral Bay of Bengal and along the south Andhra Pradesh coast squally winds of 3545 kmph gusting to 55 kmph will strengthen to 5060 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from Friday evening Gale winds of 6070 kmph gusting to 80 kmph are expected from the evening of November 29 until the morning of December 1Over the southeast Arabian Sea and along the Lakshadweep and Kerala coasts squally weather with winds of 4555 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely on November 28 and 29The IMD has strictly advised fishermen not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal the Gulf of Mannar the Comorin area and along and off the Tamil NaduPuducherry coast till December 1 Those already at sea have been urged to return to the nearest coast immediatelyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever