Cyclone Ditwah HIGHLIGHTS: Depression moves inland, heavy rain alert for Chennai

Ditwa pours 25 cm in 24 hrs at Nagai

- Several pockets across the Delta and southern region were marooned due to steady and heavy rains triggered by the cyclone. Kodiayakarai in Nagapattinam district recorded the highest quantum of 25 cm in the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday.

- With no sign of the cyclone weakening, the Nagapattinam port, where Cautionary Signal number 4 was hoisted for the past couple of days, raised the warning level to dome number 5 on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Ditwa pours 25 cm in 24 hrs at Nagai

Flooded Samba Field

A scene of rainwater pooling in a samba cultivation field due to heavy rains in the Manalmedu district. 

Cyclone Ditwah: Chennai, Kanchi districts, Avadi Corporation step up vigil

- As many as 287 flood-relief shelters and 20 cyclone-relief centres are in place for evacuees, while three multi-purpose cyclone shelters at Kanathur, Nemeli and Pattipulam have been activated. NDRF personnel have been deployed at Mudichur, and SDRF teams at Guduvanchery.

- Residents of Chengalpattu district have been asked to report emergencies or storm damage to the district control room via 1077 or 044-27427412 / 044-27427414.

- Residents have been advised to contact the 24x7 helpline 1800-425-5109 / 044-26554440 for assistance.

ALSO READ: Cyclone Ditwah: Chennai, Kanchi districts, Avadi Corporation step up vigil

TNPDCL's slew of measures in wake of Ditwah

- Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Tangedco has drawn up detailed monsoon protocols and completed extensive preventive works between April 1 and November 25.

- TNPDCL has deployed engineers to the State Disaster Management Authority and the Greater Chennai Corporation control room.

- A war room with senior officials has been set up at the headquarters. In the city, 200 field staff and 750 contract workers have been kept ready in each of the five distribution circles. Across the State, 186 divisions have been assigned two rapid response teams each, totalling 5,580 personnel.

ALSO READ: TNPDCL's slew of measures in wake of Ditwah

Water pooled along a coastal road in Puducherry

Water pooled along a coastal road in Puducherry following Friday's rains.

Mandapam: Roads damaged due to Cyclone Ditwah

The road leading to Mandapam Thonithurai village in Ramanathapuram district has been severely damaged by waves triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

Cyclone Ditwah: TN on alert as rains intensify, flights cancelled, 6,000 camps set up

Details from State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran's briefing:

Cyclone Position & Movement

- Cyclone lies 190 km SSE of Karaikal, 300 km SSE of Puducherry, and 330 km south of Chennai.

- Not clear if Ditwah will hit the coast near Chennai, says minister

Government Preparedness

- 6,000 relief camps established across districts.

- 28 disaster response teams (SDRF/NDRF) on standby; 10 more teams may be airlifted from other states.

- Air Force and Coast Guard alerted; monitoring teams to be deployed.

- 14 NDRF teams deployed in Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Mayiladuthurai.

- Additional NDRF teams positioned for Puducherry and Chennai.

Impact on Districts

- Delta districts — Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Tiruchirappalli — received heavy rain and strong winds.

- 1 lakh acres of paddy crops submerged, farmers report.

- 16 livestock dead; 24 huts damaged.

- Surplus water from Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs to be released as a precaution.

Transport Disruptions

- 54 flights from Chennai airport cancelled.

- Southern Railway announced changes to train services for December.

- Wind at Pamban Bridge has receded to safe levels, paving way for resumption of traffic.

Cyclone Ditwah: Emergency helplines issued for Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Ditwah which claimed over 120 lives in Sri Lanka is moving toward Tamil Nadu, now about 350 km from Chennai. It is likely to make landfall early tomorrow (Nov 30). Heavy rains have lashed the Cauvery delta and coastal districts on Saturday, with red and orange alerts issued for select areas.

Here are the emergency helplines and alert districts.

Azhivaikkal drains cleared of water lilies as PWD prepares for rainwater flow

Public Works Department officials removed the water lilies from the drainage channels in the Azhivaikkal area of Thanjavur and carried out the necessary preparatory work for the rainwater to drain.

Cyclone Ditwah nears: Dark clouds in Chennai, massive waves at Marina beach

Chennai was engulfed in dark clouds and massive waves crashed along Marina Beach on Saturday evening (Nov 29) as Cyclone Ditwah approached, lying about 350 km from the city.