The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression.
This weather system may bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of South India in the coming days.
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Formation of Cyclone Ditwah
The IMD stated, “A well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of southeast Sri Lanka and the Equatorial Indian Ocean has intensified into a depression as of 11:30 p.m. on November 26.”
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Currently, the system lies over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lankan coast.
If the depression strengthens into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Cyclone Ditwah. The name, suggested by Yemen, refers to a famous lagoon on Socotra Island and is part of a pre-approved list by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
Current Location of Cyclone Ditwah
According to the IMD, the depression is located about 170 km east of Hambantota in Sri Lanka and around 210 km south-southeast of Batticaloa.
The system formed almost simultaneously with Cyclone Senyar, which recently crossed parts of the Bay of Bengal and is now centred over northeast Indonesia.
Will India be Affected by Cyclone Ditwah?
The IMD expects the depression to move in a north-northwest direction over the next few hours, remaining over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the nearby Sri Lanka region.
It is likely to intensify into a deep depression by Thursday and may strengthen further as it moves toward the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh over the next two days.
Parts of South India, especially coastal areas, are expected to receive widespread heavy rainfall. Northern Tamil Nadu may experience heavy to very heavy rain (64–204 mm in 24 hours) until December 1, with extremely heavy rainfall (over 204 mm in 24 hours) possible on November 29 and 30.
Orange Alerts in THESE Southern States
The IMD has issued an orange alert for several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on November 29, including: Thiruvallur, Ranipettai, Thiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, and Thiruvarur.
In Andhra Pradesh, the southern coastal districts: Prakasam, SPSR Nellore, Anantapuramu, Annamayya, Tirupati, and Chittoor will be under an orange alert on November 30.
Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to stay updated with official forecasts and be prepared for possible disruptions due to strong winds and heavy rain.