Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies: IMD Issues Extreme Rainfall Warnings for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh

The Cyclonic Storm 'Ditwah' has intensified over the southwest Bay of Bengal and coastal Sri Lanka, leading the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue 'extremely heavy rainfall' alerts for coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh over the coming three days.

The weather system, moving north-northwestwards, was positioned approximately 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal in the Bay of Bengal, according to official reports.

IMD predictions indicate Ditwah will maintain its north-northwest trajectory across the Sri Lanka coast and adjacent Bay of Bengal, approaching the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coastlines by early Sunday morning.

"Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is highly probable over coastal Tamil Nadu for the next three days starting Friday," stated a senior meteorologist from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), urging district authorities to maintain high alertness.

The weather forecast includes isolated extremely heavy rainfall over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema on Sunday. Gale winds reaching speeds of 70-80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph, are anticipated along the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts until Sunday morning, accompanied by very rough to high sea conditions.

Authorities have implemented a complete suspension of fishing operations across coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh through December 1.

The IMD has also issued comprehensive warnings for thunderstorms and lightning across multiple South Indian states coinciding with Cyclonic Storm Ditwah's approach toward the eastern coast.

Weather officials confirmed thunderstorm activity with lightning is very likely over Tamil Nadu from Friday through December 1.

Kerala and Mahe (Puducherry) are expected to experience similar conditions during Friday and Saturday.

Further north, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam (Puducherry), and Rayalaseema are under extended thunderstorm and lightning alerts from Friday continuing through December 2.

In southern regions, Karnataka will likely be affected with South Interior Karnataka facing threats on Saturday and Sunday, while North Interior Karnataka has been placed under similar warnings for Sunday.

Additionally, the IMD noted that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to experience thunderstorms on Friday, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph.