Cyclone Ditwah, which formed over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, has significantly weakened into a deep depression. This development brings relief to Tamil Nadu’s northern districts, which had been on high alert for very heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath of what its President described as the worst natural disaster the nation has ever encountered.
The island nation has reported a devastating death toll, with at least 334 people losing their lives and an additional 370 individuals still missing due to Cyclone Ditwah’s fury. Communication breakdowns continue to hinder rescue and relief operations in the most severely impacted regions. The Sri Lankan President has pledged full state support for recovery efforts and assured that the current State of Public Emergency is solely focused on disaster management.
Indian rescue teams are actively collaborating with Sri Lankan authorities, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Police, to provide essential assistance to flood-affected communities. Evacuations, aid delivery, and emergency support are ongoing across the island. The cyclone’s weakening trajectory means the threat of widespread heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu has diminished. Karaikal recorded the highest rainfall at 19 cm, followed by Sembanarkovil with 17 cm.
For Monday, light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is anticipated in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with isolated heavy showers possible in Tiruvallur district. Chennai and its surrounding areas can expect cloudy skies and potential moderate rain with thunder and lightning. In response to the weather warnings, Puducherry has announced school closures for all government-aided and private institutions on Monday. However, the Tamil Nadu government has not issued school holidays for Chennai. Schools in Nellore and Annamayya districts of Andhra Pradesh will also remain closed.