Heavy rains in Tirupati and Nellore as remnants of Cyclone Ditwah move north

The remnants of Cyclone Ditwah have weakened into a deep depression and are moving northwards along the coast, currently positioned about 40 km from Chennai, according to Dr. Stella, Director of the IMD Andhra Pradesh. Under its influence, light to moderate rain is expected across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, while districts such as Tirupati and Nellore are already experiencing heavy rainfall. Winds may reach speeds of up to 60 kmph.

State Home Minister Anitha said the government has handled the impact of Ditwah effectively. She noted that Sri Lanka suffered severe devastation and significant loss of life due to the cyclone, while Andhra Pradesh has taken strong preventive measures. District collectors in vulnerable areas have been alerted, and emergency teams are on standby to prevent untoward incidents. She emphasized that the state machinery, including disaster management authorities and the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) system, is continuously updating and alerting the public. She also appealed to citizens to cooperate with the government during such emergencies.

Officials from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority confirmed that Ditwah has further weakened into a depression and is currently positioned between the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal, moving slowly northward at around 5 kmph near the Chennai coast. Moderate rainfall is expected across several regions in the state, with the possibility of isolated heavy showers. Strong coastal winds are likely, and fishermen have again been warned not to venture into the sea.

Energy Minister Guntipati Ravikumar stated that electricity department teams in coastal districts are on high alert. They are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond quickly to any power-related issues caused by the weather. The minister was speaking during a visit to Prakasam district, where he reviewed ongoing preparedness measures.