Cyclonic Storm Ditwah over coastal Sri Lanka continues moving north-northwest at 7 kmph and remains centred near Trincomalee. The system is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal close to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh by early November 30, prompting heightened coastal monitoring
Sea waves lash against a damaged brick structure along the coast as rough conditions prevail due to Cyclone Ditwah in TN. Pic/PTI
The cyclonic storm (Ditwah) is very likely to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning of November 30, the weather office said on Friday.
Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, which was placed over coastal areas of Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal during the early hours of Friday, is now slowly intensifying and moving north-northwestwards, as per the Indian Meteorological Department.
IMD, while expressing concern about the storm, said that the system advanced at a speed of 7 kmph over the past six hours and remained centred at 5:30 am (IST) on November 28 over the same region.
While hinting about the current position of the cyclone, IMD further stated that, “At the time of observation, the cyclone was positioned near latitude 8.2 degrees N and longitude 81.1 degrees, which is approximately 50 km south-southwest of Trincomalee, 90 km northwest of Batticaloa, and 230 km north of Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The system also lies nearly 440 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 540 km south of Chennai.”
The IMD also expressed that the storm is likely to maintain its north-northwestward movement, tracking across the Sri Lanka coast and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal over the next 48 hours.
However, hinting that it may strike some coastal regions of India as well, the weather prediction agency said that the cyclone is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, by the early morning of November 30.
Moreover, the cyclone is expected to surf the sea and move parallel to the TN coast. With the Cauvery Delta districts and the coastal areas set to receive rain, the government has advised the district collectors to remain vigilant and launch appropriate rescue and relief measures. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea, reported PTI.
According to the Chennai Met Department, earlier, the cyclonic storm Ditwah remained centred at 8:30 am (IST) over the same region, near a latitude of 8.3°N and a longitude of 81.0°E. The system is located approximately 40 km southwest of Trincomalee and 100 km northwest of Batticaloa, in Sri Lanka. On the Indian side, the cyclone is located about 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 430 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 530 km south of Chennai, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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