Is Cyclone Ditwah Bringing Heavy Rain to Tamil Nadu?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Ditwah is expected to bring heavy rainfall to northern Tamil Nadu.
- 16 teams from SDRF and 12 from NDRF have been deployed.
- Authorities are on high alert and ensuring preparedness.
- Residents are urged to heed IMD warnings.
- Support and resources are being mobilized for affected areas.
Chennai, Nov 29 (NationPress) As Cyclone Ditwah threatens to unleash significant rainfall across northern Tamil Nadu this Saturday and the following day, the state authorities have mobilized substantial disaster-response resources in at-risk districts.
In total, 16 teams from the State Disaster Response Force and 12 teams from the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in regions including Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi, as confirmed by an official statement.
This deployment follows severe rainfall alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as Cyclone Ditwah approaches the coastal regions of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra.
The cyclone is anticipated to enhance rainfall, especially over Chennai and the Delta area, leading officials to put all critical departments on high alert.
During a video conference with district collectors and senior officials, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed the readiness measures and directed local administrations to ensure complete inter-departmental coordination, making certain that all relief centers are adequately prepared to accommodate evacuees.
Monitoring officers have been instructed to remain in their respective districts until the weather stabilizes, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted essential services, efficient floodwater drainage, and prompt restoration of electricity in case of outages.
To bolster disaster-response capabilities, Tamil Nadu has requested additional NDRF teams from neighboring states. National forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard, have been placed on standby for emergency assistance, including rescue operations, evacuations, and logistical support.
In response to inquiries regarding the likelihood of intense rainfall in Chennai, the Chief Minister confirmed that the capital city is also expected to experience significant downpours and mentioned that precautionary measures have already been implemented to safeguard residents, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone zones.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister outlined the steps taken to protect residents and urged the public to heed the IMD warnings, avoid unnecessary outings, and remain in safe locations until the situation improves.