New Delhi : A pre-cyclone watch has been issued on Thursday for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts after Cyclone Ditwah formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal earlier in the day.
The storm developed close to Pottuvil in Sri Lanka, about 90 km south-southeast of Batticaloa and nearly 700 km south-southeast of Chennai.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Ditwah will move in a north-northwest direction, reaching the seas off the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early November 30. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the affected stretches of the Bay of Bengal.
The name was suggested by Yemen and refers to the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island, known for its distinct coastal ecosystem. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the UN ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones follow a pre-approved list of names contributed by member countries. “Ditwah” represents Yemen’s coastline and marine heritage within this shared naming system.
Meanwhile, the remnant of Cyclone Senyar, a deep depression over the Strait of Malacca, continued moving eastward at around 18 km/h and weakened into a depression. It is expected to further weaken into a well-marked low within 12 hours.
Tamil Nadu is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain from November 27–30, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected on November 28 and 29. Rayalaseema may see heavy to very heavy showers from November 28–December 1, including extremely heavy falls on November 30.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to receive similar conditions from November 28–December 2, while Kerala and Mahe are set for heavy spells between November 27 and 29. Rainfall is also forecast over Telangana on November 30 and December 1, and over South Interior Karnataka on November 29.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with gusty winds reaching 30–50 km/h expected over the islands between November 27 and 29. Authorities have urged the public to stay alert and follow safety instructions as Cyclone Ditwah moves closer to the coast.
