Cyclone Ditwah reaches Tamil Nadu, several flights cancelled

Chennai: At least 123 people have been killed in Sri Lanka and over 100 are missing as the country battles torrential rain and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which is now moving towards South India. Cyclone Ditwah is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Coasts by November 30, IMD said.

Chennai Airport authorities have cancelled 54 scheduled flights in view of the cyclone’s approach and the IMD’s forecast of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 48 hours. Amid severe rainfall warning across Tamil Nadu, several schools have been shut.

The IMD forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Andhra Pradesh for four days from November 30 to December 3 under the influence of cyclonic storm Ditwah.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka moved northwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours and remained centred over the same region as of 11:30 am.

Under its influence, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain said isolated places in Tirupati and Chittoor districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Heavy rain is also expected in parts of Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Annamayya districts.