Cyclone Ditwah: 4 Deaths Reported as Heavy Rains Impact Tamil Nadu Coast and Agricultural Regions

Chennai:

Four individuals have lost their lives in incidents related to heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Ditwah moved along the state's coastline, triggering substantial precipitation.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran reported today, "Two fatalities occurred in Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram due to electrical accidents, while two others perished in Thoothukudi and Thanjavur because of wall collapses."

Regarding damage to livestock and property, he stated that 582 cattle have perished and 1,601 properties, including homes and huts, have sustained damage. The administration has yet to announce compensation packages.

Discussing the extent of losses following October's initial monsoon spell, Ramachandran revealed that 85,500 hectares of agricultural land were affected in Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Thanjavur districts. The government plans to provide compensation of Rs 20,000 per hectare for crop destruction.

A 35-year-old farmer from Tiruvarur informed NDTV that his paddy fields spanning several acres are completely submerged. He elaborated, "We invested Rs 35,000 per acre thus far. In our village alone, crops across 15 acres have been destroyed." He mentioned that poor drainage in the area results in recurring crop failures in the villages of Kaavanur, Karuppur, Pachakkad, Suranur, and Tundathur.

As of Tuesday evening, Cyclone Ditwah has weakened to a depression. Meteorological forecasts predict it will continue moving slowly south-westwards toward the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastlines before further diminishing into a well-marked low-pressure system.

The Minister emphasized that the state government remains vigilant. "154 relief shelters are prepared in Chennai. 11 NDRF teams comprising 330 personnel continue their deployment in Chennai to assist with emergency response efforts," Ramachandran stated.

(With inputs from Abinaya Kumarasamy)