Chennai: Cyclone Ditva, which is raging in the southwest Bay of Bengal and north of Sri Lanka, is moving northwestwards and is likely to cause heavy rains in the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. A red alert has been issued in this context.
The system has been moving slowly at a speed of 8 kmph in the six hours ending at 8.30 am and has remained almost stationary in the same area, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported.
Officials have urged fishermen to stay on shore and have warned of strong winds, rough seas and possible localised flooding along the coast. Preparations are underway in low-lying areas, disaster
A tourist van is stuck in a stranded area near a canal in Ramanthapuram district. However, the residents managed to escape through the back door, thus escaping unscathed. The district administration has warned people not to venture out unnecessarily due to adverse weather conditions of strong winds and heavy rain.
Tourists have been advised not to visit Dhanushkodi, located on the southeastern tip of Pamban Island, west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The town was devastated by the 1964 cyclone in Rameswaram.
Several parts of the state, including Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mailaduthurai, Thiruvidaimarudur, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Thiruvaiyaru, Pattukottai, Cuddalore and parts of Chennai, received heavy rain. The administration in the vulnerable districts has ordered the closure of schools due to the rain.
Around 300 passengers, including around 150 Tamils, who were travelling from Dubai to India via Sri Lanka for the past three days, are stranded at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo after several flights to Chennai were cancelled due to Cyclone Ditva.
The passengers are said to be stranded without adequate food, water and basic amenities as operations have been disrupted due to severe weather.
Sensing the plight of the stranded, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directed the Public Relations Secretary to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Colombo.
Officials have held discussions with Indian High Commission officials to ensure the safe return of Tamils stranded in Sri Lanka. The government has sought timely assistance for passengers facing difficulties at the airport.