Cyclone Ditwah, initially a significant threat over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, has now weakened into a deep depression. This has brought a welcome reprieve to the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, which had been on alert for very heavy rainfall. While the cyclone’s intensity has diminished, its impact continues to be felt, particularly in Sri Lanka, where the death toll has tragically risen to 334.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has described the current extreme weather as the nation’s worst natural disaster. He has pledged full government support for recovery efforts and assured citizens that the declared State of Public Emergency is solely focused on disaster management and will not infringe upon civil liberties. Immediate steps are being taken to restore vital services like water, electricity, and communication networks that have been severely disrupted across many areas.
In response to the cyclone’s impact, Puducherry has announced the closure of all government-aided and private schools for Monday, December 1st, due to heavy rain warnings. Similarly, schools in the Nellore and Annamayya districts of Andhra Pradesh will also remain shut. The Tamil Nadu government has not yet announced any school closures for Chennai.
Meanwhile, the weakened Cyclone Ditwah is moving parallel to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. The Regional Meteorological Centre noted that Karaikal received the highest rainfall with 19 cm, followed by Sembanarkovil with 17 cm. The system is expected to further weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area soon. Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is forecast for parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday, with isolated heavy showers possible in Tiruvallur district. Chennai and its surroundings can expect cloudy skies and scattered moderate rain with thunder and lightning.