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CHENNAI/MAYILADUTHURAI: Cyclone Ditwah, while showing signs of weakening due to hostile atmospheric conditions, has unleashed torrential rains over Tamil Nadu's delta regions, with Mayiladuthurai district recording a staggering 20 cm (over 200 mm) of rainfall in the last 24 hours. The cyclone continues its parallel path along the coast, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for five districts and the union territory of Puducherry.
Despite its diminished strength, Cyclone Ditwah has proven to be a potent rainmaker. Prominent independent meteorologist Pradeep John, known as "Tamil Nadu Weatherman," explained that dry air and steep wind shear have impacted the storm's intensity. "Dry air and wind shear have tried to penetrate towards the center of the storm. Due to this, Cyclone Ditwah is being affected and is struggling to form cloud clusters," he stated in a social media post.
This struggle, however, has not prevented extreme rainfall. Mayiladuthurai bore the brunt, receiving between 140 to 220 millimeters of rain. The heavy downpours have also extended to other delta districts, including Thanjavur and Thiruvarur, as well as Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.
According to the latest bulletin from the IMD's Southern Region Chief, Amuda, the cyclone is currently centered 100 km east-northeast of Vedaranyam, 80 km east of Karaikal, 60 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 250 km south of Chennai. It is moving northwards and is expected to continue on a path parallel to the coast over the next 24 hours.
The system is forecast to remain at a minimum distance of just 25 km from the Puducherry coast this evening. Meteorologists predict that cloud formation, which was disrupted, is likely to resume later today, affecting Chennai, adjoining northern districts, as well as Vellore and Ranipet. Cyclone Ditwah is expected to approach the sea areas off Chennai by this evening or night.
In response to the ongoing threat, the IMD has escalated warnings. A Red Alert has been issued for Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, and Chengalpattu districts, along with Puducherry and Karaikal, with very heavy rainfall expected.
Reflecting the heightened danger to maritime activities, Cyclone Warning Cage No. 5 has been hoisted at the Cuddalore port, signaling extreme danger and suspending all port operations.
A broader Orange Alert is in place for Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Trichy, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts. A Yellow Alert covers a wide swath of the state, including Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Theni, Tenkasi, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari.
