Cyclone Ditwah weakens; torrential rain claims three lives, damages crops in T.N.

Cyclone Ditwah weakens; torrential rain claims three lives, damages crops in T.N.

Cyclone Ditwah began to weaken on Sunday even as it continued its slow northward movement over the Bay of Bengal, parallel to the coast of northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Torrential rain led to three deaths, with two people killed by collapsing walls in Thanjavur and Thoothukudi districts and one person electrocuted in Mayiladuthurai.
Over 2,300 people were in relief camps on Sunday morning, T.N. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said, adding that 230 huts have been damaged and 56,000 hectares of crops are under water.
The centre of the cyclonic system stayed around 80 km from the coast as it moved at a speed of just 5 kmph on Sunday morning, weakening to a deep depression by Sunday night, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. It was expected to come within 30 km of the coastline by midnight.
Light rain likely
Light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places over T.N. and Puducherry-Karaikal on Monday, with thunderstorms and lightning at a few places. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Tiruvallur district. Gale winds are likely to decrease gradually, with speeds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, by Monday morning. Sea conditions are likely to improve gradually.
Addressing a press conference in the State Emergency Operations Centre, Mr. Ramachandran said that due to the heavy rain, crops in about 56,000 hectares in various districts are under water. Crops have been affected in about 24,000 hectares in Nagapattinam district, over 15,000 hectares in Tiruvarur district and about 8,000 hectares in Mayiladuthurai district, he said.
Once the water recedes, officials will calculate the actual damage and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will decide on announcing compensation for the damages incurred by farmers, the Minister said. In response to a query, he said compensation could be granted only if the loss of crops was over 33%.
The Air Force moved about 300 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel from Maharashtra and Gujarat to Chennai. In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said: “An IAF C-17 has airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune and Vadodara to Chennai, enabling rapid deployment of over 300 NDRF personnel and around 35 tonnes of essential gear.” With the arrival of 10 additional teams, 38 teams are now ready across Tamil Nadu and will be deployed to areas on the basis of their need, Mr. Ramachandran said.
About 230 huts have been damaged due to the rain, he added. As of Sunday morning, over 2,300 people have been accommodated in a total of 38 relief camps in nine districts of Tamil Nadu — 10 camps in Nagapattinam district, nine in Pudukkottai, seven in Villupuram, four in Tiruvarur, two each in Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, and Thanjavur, and one each in Chengalpattu and Ranipet.
The State government is coordinating with other government agencies to ensure the safe return of people from the State who are stranded in Sri Lanka, the Minister said. They are expected to reach on Sunday, he added.