Cyclone Ditwah tracker highlights: Storm weakens into deep depression, 50 km away from TN-Puducherry coasts

Ditwah cyclone live updates: As per the latest update from the IMD, Cyclone Ditwah is not expected to make impact but move parallel to the Indian coast.

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during next 24 hours. While moving northwards the cyclonic storm will be centered over southwest Bay of Bengal within a minimum distance of 70 km and 30 km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by noon and evening of today, the 30th November respectively,” said IMD.

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Sunday took preparedness measures to “ensure telecom network resilience” in view of Cyclone Ditwah over the Bay of Bengal, likely to impact coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

It said in a press release that, “DoT has set up a 24×7 Control Room to Safeguard Telecom Connectivity Amid Cyclone Ditwah threat, coordinate with service providers, and facilitate prompt response through district administrations and the State Disaster Management Authority. All Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted network operations, adequate fuel reserves, readiness of emergency power backups, and deployment of field response teams in vulnerable districts.”

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: The India Meteorological Department has raised Danger Signal Number 5 (D V) in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore as Cyclone Ditwah moved towards the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

Notably, Signal 5 indicates that a cyclonic storm of slight or moderate strength is expected to cross the shoreline with the port remaining on its left.

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: Sea condition is very likely to be high till the 30th evening. It is very likely to improve gradually, becoming very rough to rough by December 1 morning, and gradually improve thereafter, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: Cyclone Ditwah has brought rough waves to Chennai's popular Marina Beach, with powerful winds along the shore. Even with these conditions, many people have gathered to watch the striking waves.

Notably, the IMD has urged residents to remain indoors, avoid venturing into coastal areas, and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: Sri Lankan authorities battled rising floodwaters in parts of the capital on Sunday after powerful cyclone ‘Ditwah’ left a trail of destruction, killing at least 159 people acorss the country.

The death toll had reached 159, with another 203 people missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported, following a week of heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, which moved away from Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: Tourists in Puducherry shared their experiences as the cyclone is reported to be moving closer. Bunty Prasad, a tourist, told ANI, "We came to Puducherry for travelling yesterday. The rain caused by the cyclone has made it difficult for us to move around. We also have little children with us, so it is a little difficult while travelling"

Another tourist added, "We came to Puducherry yesterday for our trip, but suddenly we came to know about the cyclone and for our safety, they (officials) are not allowing us to go inside the sea. We are following the rules, standing on the safer side, and not going inside. We will be leaving today."

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: The name "Ditwah" means "lagoon" and was proposed by Yemen as part of the cyclone naming system.

It refers to the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island in Yemen, which is known for its distinct coastal environment.

Cyclone Ditwah live updates: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar offering all necessary support from the state for the Indians stranded at the Colombo airport due to Cyclone Ditwah.

He said the Indian passengers have been stuck there for the last three days without adequate food, water and basic facilities. The chief minister said many of the passengers were using Colombo as a pit stop for return journeys to home or going abroad and are in crisis at present.

Ditwah Cyclone live updates: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in some locations, with extremely heavy rainfall possible in one or two areas in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is also likely across many parts of Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry and Karaikal region, along with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning in isolated spots.

Ditwah Cyclone live updates: As per the latest bulletin by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm continued to move nearly northwards at about 5 kmph in the past 6 hours.

It remained positioned in the same area, roughly 80 km east of Karaikal in Puducherry.

The IMD said that the system is expected to move northwards along the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts over the next 24 hours.