The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed multiple teams across several districts in Tamil Nadu to carry out precautionary operations amid heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The deployment was made following requests from the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry State Disaster Management Authorities.
Each NDRF team comprises 30 personnel, with a total of eight teams positioned across vulnerable districts. Puducherry has been assigned two teams (60 personnel), while one team each has been deployed in Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, and Tiruvarur for preparedness and response operations.
The deployment also includes a Search Dog Unit featuring four trained sniffer dogs—Rani, Mickey, Laika, and Rambo. These dogs assist rescuers during disasters by locating individuals trapped under debris.
Cyclone Ditwah is expected to impact the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The cyclonic system is currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lankan coast. As of now, it is centred 80 km from Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 480 km from Puducherry, and 580 km from Chennai.
Earlier today, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coast.
The IMD said that the system has intensified with strong winds and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall. It is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early hours of November 30, prompting widespread advisories for coastal residents and fishermen.
According to the IMD, Cyclone Ditwah moved at a speed of 10 kmph over the past six hours and at 0230 hrs IST on Friday was centred near latitude 8.1°N and longitude 81.2°E—about 50 km south of Trincomalee, 70 km northwest of Batticaloa, 220 km north of Hambantota, 460 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 560 km south-southeast of Chennai. The system is likely to continue moving north-northwest along the Sri Lanka coast before emerging into the Bay of Bengal.
IMD defines heavy rain as rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm, very heavy rain as rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm, and extremely heavy rain as rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm.
(With ANI inputs)