Chennai, Nov 29 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has taken swift action to evacuate over 300 individuals—many of whom are Tamil residents—who have become stranded in Sri Lanka due to significant rainfall and extreme flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which resulted in the halt of all flight operations on Saturday.

Under the Chief Minister’s directives, the Public Department Secretary has engaged with officials from the Indian High Commission in Colombo to ensure the safe repatriation of those affected.

The cyclone has wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka, with continuous rainfall and flooding leading to extensive devastation.

According to the Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka, there have been 123 fatalities linked to rain-related incidents, with another 130 individuals reported missing.

Severe downpours have inundated villages, compromised infrastructure, and displaced thousands, complicating rescue efforts in several isolated areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that Cyclone Ditwah was positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent northern Sri Lanka at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, progressing north-northwest at a velocity of 8 km/h during the preceding six hours.

The cyclone was approximately 400 km south of Chennai, steadily moving towards the Tamil Nadu coastline.

Consequently, Tamil Nadu has begun experiencing the cyclone's effects, particularly in the Delta districts. Heavy rainfall has battered areas such as Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur since early morning, resulting in waterlogging and disrupting daily life.

Strong winds have impacted the coastal areas, compelling fishermen to secure their vessels and raising alarms about potential damage to ongoing Samba crops.

In light of the deteriorating weather conditions, the IMD has issued a red alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu districts, along with the Puducherry region. An orange alert remains in effect for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Thiruvannamalai, Pudukkottai, Salem, Perambalur, and parts of central Tamil Nadu. District authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, and other affected areas. Residents are urged to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and adhere to safety advisories as Cyclone Ditwah approaches the Tamil Nadu coast.