The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi, December 1: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Monday that the deep depression—the remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah—has continued moving northward over the southwest Bay of Bengal at about 10 kmph during the past six hours.
As of 5:30 am, the system was positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of the west-central Bay, close to the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coasts. It was located near latitude 12.8°N and longitude 80.6°E, around 50 km east-southeast of Chennai, 130 km northeast of Puducherry, and 200 km south-southeast of Nellore.
The IMD stated that the centre of the system is currently about 40 km from the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. It is expected to move slowly northwards, tracking parallel to the coastlines of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh, and weaken into a depression within the next 12 hours. By noon today, the system is likely to lie within 30 km of the Chennai coast.
Meanwhile, heavy rains triggered by the cyclone’s remnants pounded several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Tiruvallur. Chennai experienced strong winds, intense rainfall, high tides, and visible damage along Marina Beach.
Flooding in the Manangkondan River in Nagapattinam district cut off road access to Karuppapulam village, submerging over 100 acres of paddy fields and causing significant agricultural losses.
State Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran reported that three people have died in rain-related incidents. Approximately 56,000 hectares of farmland have been inundated—24,000 in Nagapattinam, 15,000 in Tiruvarur, and 8,000 in Mayiladuthurai.
Authorities have set up 38 relief camps across vulnerable districts, sheltering 2,391 people. Since Sunday evening, 234 huts have suffered damage due to the heavy rainfall. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is expected to review and announce further relief measures once the weather stabilizes.
