Cyclone Ditwah Unleashes Rain Fury in Tamil Nadu: Four Dead, Chennai Schools Shut

Cyclone Ditwah has brought relentless rain to Tamil Nadu, resulting in four rain-related fatalities and significant destruction across northern districts. The severe weather has led to the ruin of standing crops over 2 lakh acres, the death of nearly 600 cattle, and damage to more than 1,600 huts and tenements.

In Chennai, the capital city experienced 15 cm of rainfall within 24 hours, causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption. Authorities have announced the closure of all schools and colleges in Chennai today due to continuous heavy rain warnings.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms that the system has weakened from a deep depression to a depression and is expected to further weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area as it drifts towards the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. The state government has announced a relief package of ₹20,000 per hectare for affected farmers.