Cyclone Ditvaha: Heavy rains and floods disrupt life in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka

Cyclone Ditvaah continued to bring rain and strong winds to Tamil Nadu and neighboring areas on Sunday (November 30), with the weather office warning that the system is expected to move parallel to northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast in the next 24 hours. The storm has already caused deaths, damaged crops and homes and forced thousands of people to live in relief camps in India and Sri Lanka. (Image: Reuters)

Three deaths reported in Tamil Nadu. According to PTI report, at least three people have died in Tamil Nadu due to rain-related incidents. Two people died after walls collapsed in Tuticorin and Thanjavur, while a 20-year-old man died of electrocution in Mayiladuthurai, the state disaster management minister confirmed. (Image: PTI)

More than 1.53 lakh deaths in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been most affected. According to Reuters, at least 153 people have died due to landslides and floods caused by the cyclone. Another 191 people are missing, while more than 5 lakh people have been affected across the country. (Image: Reuters)

Huge damage to agricultural belt in Tamil Nadu. About 57,000 hectares of agricultural land has been submerged in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. There has been heavy crop damage in districts like Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai. Farmers also said that around one lakh acres of standing paddy crop was submerged in water in several delta areas, PTI reported. (Image: PTI)

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Death of cattle and use of drones. At least 149 cattle also died in Tamil Nadu due to the cyclone. According to the state government, drones were used to survey agricultural lands, houses and animal shelters in the flood-affected districts to monitor and assess the damage. (Image: Reuters)

Houses were damaged, thousands of people moved to safe places. About 234 huts were damaged in the delta districts of Tamil Nadu. In Sri Lanka, more than 78,000 people were relocated to about 800 relief centres, many of which were in schools. Reuters reported that rescue teams were providing food, water and basic medicines to affected villages. (Image: Reuters)

Flights, trains and fishing disrupted. Around 54 flights were canceled in Chennai due to strong winds and rain. Parts of Southern Railway services were also temporarily halted. Fishermen in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been advised not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions. (Image: PTI)

Reservoirs opened, water was released into the sea. Water was released from Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs as a precautionary measure to prevent flood threat in Chennai. Officials said the step was taken to protect the dams and avoid further waterlogging in the city. (Image: PTI)

Strong winds and rough seas on the coast. Cyclone Ditvaha caused surface winds of 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph over coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Sea conditions became rough, damaging fishing boats and causing coastal erosion in areas like Mandapam. (Image: PTI)

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Rescue teams on high alert. Tamil Nadu has deployed 28 disaster response teams, including NDRF and SDRF units. An additional 10 teams were sent from other states. The Air Force and Coast Guard were also placed on standby to assist in emergency operations. (Image: PTI)

Fear of more rain, situation still risky. According to weather officials, the cyclone is expected to weaken into a depression, but heavy rains will continue over parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Sri Lanka. Officials have warned that the flood situation may worsen in low-lying areas, especially near river banks. (Image: PTI)