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Cyclone Ditwah Latest News: The strong impact of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has increased the danger in South India. IMD has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, while flight services in Chennai have been badly affected. After the disaster and declaration of emergency in Sri Lanka, India is helping on a large scale by sending NDRF and relief material under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
New Delhi: After causing huge devastation in Sri Lanka, Cyclonic Storm Ditvaha has now arrived at the doorstep of India’s south coastal states Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. About 153 people have died in Sri Lanka and more than 100 people are missing. Emergency has been imposed in the neighboring country. In view of the increasing speed of the storm and its impact throughout the day, the Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for three states, while there is a possibility of heavy rain in Kerala also. IMD Director General Dr Mrityunjay Mahapatra confirmed that the cyclone is currently centered near Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal and is moving rapidly in the north-northwest direction. On Saturday afternoon it was recorded about 80 km from Jaffna, 140 km from Weatheranim and 380 km from Chennai.
According to Dr. Mahapatra, due to the effect of the storm, the speed of sea winds around Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has reached 70 to 80 km per hour, in whose gusts it can touch the speed of 90 km/hour. Huge waves up to 8 meters high were seen in the sea along with strong winds in the coastal areas and especially in Rameshwaram. IMD has warned that this cyclone will pass only 50 to 60 kilometers from the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by Sunday morning, the impact of which will continue to be felt till evening. The Meteorological Department has expressed fear of damage to standing crops. However, there is little hope of major structural damage. People living in coastal and low-lying areas have been advised to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
Air services affected at Chennai airport
Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ has had a direct impact on air traffic. Due to bad weather conditions at Chennai Airport, operation of aircraft has become risky. More than 54 arriving and departing ATR flights were canceled on Saturday itself. Airport Authority of India (AAI) has informed that the situation may become more challenging on Sunday, for which preparations have already been made to cancel 36 domestic and 11 international flights. Passengers have been advised to remain in constant touch with their airlines.
Emergency in Sri Lanka and India’s ‘Sagar Bandhu’ mission
Before danger struck India, Cyclone Ditvaha caused massive devastation in neighboring Sri Lanka, killing about 120 people. In view of the worsening situation and increasing threat to law and order, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared emergency across the country. In this hour of crisis, India immediately launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ under the ‘Neighbor First’ policy. The Indian Air Force airlifted 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo in a C-130 and an IL-76 aircraft. Two NDRF teams landed in Colombo this morning itself and started rescue and relief operations, sending a clear message that India stands firmly with its neighbors in the crisis.
