Cyclone Ditwah Live Updates: Widespread rain lashes Tamil Nadu coasts, interior parts as depression moves inland

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has recurved southward and moved closer to the East Coast, prompting a red alert for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur, with extremely heavy rain predicted until 10 am on Tuesday.

In view of the forecast, district authorities in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram announced a holiday for all schools and colleges on December 2 as a precaution.

Chennai District Collector Roshni Siddharth Jagade said the decision was taken to ensure student safety amid expectations of intense rainfall and waterlogging. Residents have been urged to stay cautious and avoid non-essential travel.

Tamil Nadu has reported three rain-related deaths linked to Cyclone Ditwah, according to state disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran. While the system earlier threatened Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema and south coastal districts, it weakened into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. Many areas recorded only moderate rainfall, with isolated pockets experiencing heavy showers.

On Tuesday, isolated areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are likely to face moderate to heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds due to the cyclone’s remnants.

Meteorologists say Ditwah is currently unable to move either west or east; if the westerly trough shifts away on Wednesday, the weakened system may finally drift westward toward the Tamil Nadu or south Andhra Pradesh coast.