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Chennai: As Cyclone Ditwah barrels northward over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed large parts of Tamil Nadu — along with Puducherry — on orange alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and the risk of urban flooding.

By early Sunday, as the cyclone drew closer to the coast, heavy rains and gusty winds began lashing Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. IMD’s latest bulletin placed the storm roughly 80 km east of Karaikal (Puducherry), advancing almost northwards at 5–7 km/h. According to report, a red alert has been issued for Cuddalore and the union territory of Puducherry.

Chennai airport also cancelled around 47 flights due to the weather disturbance, reported Hindustan Times.

District-wise, the alert applies to coastal areas including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram and Chengalpattu. For the state capital’s metropolitan area, including Chennai, authorities have issued an orange alert.

As a precaution, disaster-response teams have been mobilised and relief camps prepared in vulnerable areas. Several flights to and from Chennai have already been cancelled, and residents — especially those in low-lying or coastal zones — are being urged to stay alert, avoid venturing into rough seas, and follow official advisories.

With landfall expected soon, the situation remains critical. Authorities have stressed that depending on the cyclone’s final trajectory, rainfall may intensify further, raising the possibility of flooding, waterlogging and infrastructural disruption.