ANDHRA PRADESH: Cyclone Ditwah Sparks Heavy Rain Alert for Coast & Rayalaseema
Cyclone Ditwah has taken shape in the southwest Bay of Bengal, hugging the Sri Lankan coast and stirring concerns for coastal communities.
Named by Yemen through global weather accords, this system marks the fourth tropical cyclone in the North Indian Ocean this season.
With its steady advance, authorities are ramping up preparations to shield vulnerable areas from potential downpours and gusts.
Current Position and Path Ahead
As of Thursday morning, the cyclone sits about 170 km from Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, 570 km from Puducherry, and 670 km southeast of Chennai.
It has edged forward at roughly 10 km per hour over the past six hours, tracing a north-northwest course.
Forecasts point to it nearing the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh by early Sunday, November 30.
Experts note the system’s potential for rapid strengthening, though cooler coastal waters might temper its force.
This trajectory echoes recent patterns, following closely on the heels of Cyclone Senyar’s retreat.
Weather Warnings and Wind Alerts
Gusty winds of 50-70 km per hour are set to sweep coastal stretches starting Friday evening, with peaks possibly hitting 80-100 km per hour near landfall.
Rough seas and thunderstorms could disrupt travel and daily routines, prompting storm signals at key ports.
The India Meteorological Department urges vigilance, especially in low-lying zones prone to flooding.
For those at sea, the message is clear: stay ashore. Fishing bans extend through November 30 to avoid perilous conditions.
Three-Day Rainfall Outlook
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has outlined rain patterns, blending light spells with heavier bouts as the cyclone nears.
Friday, November 28:
- Light to moderate showers at isolated spots in Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati districts.
Saturday, November 29:
- Heavy to very heavy rains in isolated areas of Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati.
- Heavy downpours are likely in Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, and Kadapa.
- Lighter rains are possible in Palnadu, Kurnool, and Nandyal.
Sunday, November 30:
- Heavy to very heavy falls expected in Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati.
- Heavy rains in Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, and Sri Sathya Sai.
- Moderate to heavy showers in West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, and NTR districts.
These projections align with broader alerts for Rayalaseema and south coastal Andhra, where extremely heavy rain could linger into December 1.
Safety Steps and Support Lines
Residents should monitor updates closely, secure loose items, and avoid flood-prone paths.
Farmers are advised to harvest ripe crops and shelter livestock. In emergencies, dial the toll-free lines: 1070, 112, or 1800-4250-101 for prompt aid.
This cyclone arrives amid a busy season, testing resilience in a region still recovering from prior rains. As Ditwah closes in, timely action could spare many from its full fury.