Bhubaneswar: A fresh cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Ditwah, marking the second such weather development within a span of just one day. The system, currently hovering close to the Sri Lankan coastline, is charting a course toward South India and is expected to near the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast by the evening of November 30.
While Ditwah is predicted to unleash heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is likely to remain largely unaffected. The state may, however, experience overcast skies in southern and coastal belts due to the cyclone’s peripheral cloud bands.
Two Cyclones in Two Days
Earlier, Cyclone Senyar emerged over the Malacca Strait but weakened into a depression before reaching any Indian landmass. Simultaneously, a deep depression near Sri Lanka strengthened into Cyclone Ditwah. As per the latest updates, Ditwah is situated roughly 700 km south-southeast of Chennai and about 610 km from Puducherry.
The system is travelling in a north-northwest direction and is on track to move closer to the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh region by November 30, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Its primary effect is expected across Sri Lanka and the southern peninsular states.
Odisha Farmers on High Alert Despite Low Risk
Despite the minimal threat to Odisha, memories of the damage caused by torrential rain during Cyclone Montha just a month ago have triggered widespread concern among farmers. Worried about potential crop loss, farmers in several districts have begun harvesting paddy ahead of schedule.
This sense of urgency is evident in Puri district’s Pipili and Konark areas, as well as in Koraput’s Laxmipur region, where farmers are working long hours—sometimes using both harvesting machines and manual labour—to prevent any possible losses.
A farmer from Pipili shared, “If unexpected rain arrives, our standing crops won’t survive. We are harvesting continuously—whatever it takes.”
Another farmer from Konark expressed distress, saying, “We managed to harvest nearly an acre, but shifting the harvested paddy to safety is becoming a challenge. We feel helpless.”
No Rain Likely in Odisha for a Week
Contrary to farmers’ fears, the IMD has forecast dry weather across Odisha for the next seven days. Winter chill has gradually returned, with six places recording minimum temperatures below 10°C. Night temperatures are expected to dip further by 2–3°C over the next 48 hours, the IMD’s Bhubaneswar office reported.
Meteorologist Biswajit Sahu explained that Cyclone Ditwah will likely skim close to the Sri Lankan coastline before impacting Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Only isolated moderate showers are expected in Malkangiri and Koraput districts between December 1 and 2, he added.
