IMD issues red alert as Cyclone Ditwah moves north, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and gale winds in South Indian coastal states.

CHENNAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of South India, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds as Cyclone Ditwah continues to intensify over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The system is currently moving north-northwest and is expected to impact the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry over the coming days.

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The cyclone was last located approximately 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal, and is projected to approach the coasts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh by early Sunday morning. According to IMD forecasts, isolated extreme rainfall events are highly likely over coastal Tamil Nadu from Friday through Sunday.

In response, local authorities across Tamil Nadu have been placed on high alert. District administrations have been advised to activate disaster preparedness measures, while the IMD has cautioned that gale winds of 70–80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph, may sweep through coastal regions including Puducherry.

Similar conditions are predicted for South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Yanam, which could experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Sunday. Sea conditions are expected to remain very rough to high, prompting the total suspension of fishing operations along the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh until December 1.

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Additional warnings for thunderstorms and lightning have also been issued for Kerala, Mahe, South and North Interior Karnataka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with gusty winds between 30–40 kmph likely in some areas.

The weather office has urged the public and coastal residents to remain cautious, avoid travel in vulnerable zones, and follow advisories issued by local disaster response agencies.

The situation continues to evolve as Cyclone Ditwah progresses toward the eastern coast, with updates being issued regularly by the Regional Meteorological Centres.