Chennai

Cyclone Ditwah continued to trigger widespread rain across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday as it moved northwards parallel to the coastline. Heavy downpour inundated several low-lying areas in Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam, Rameswaram and surrounding regions, disrupting normal life.

The cyclone, located about 80 km east of Karaikal and 250 km south of Chennai, is expected to stay close to the coast over the next 24 hours. Extremely heavy rain is forecast for Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Chennai and several central and northern districts, besides Puducherry and Karaikal.

Wind speeds of 60–70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, are likely along the coast, with fishermen advised not to venture into the sea.

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The Tamil Nadu government has kept 28 SDRF/NDRF teams on standby, with more being mobilised. No fatalities have been reported so far, though 16 livestock deaths and 24 damaged huts have been recorded. Private weather forecasters say the cyclone may weaken into a depression and dissipate near the Chennai coast without making landfall.