A weather disturbance brewing over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and may strengthen into Cyclone Ditva in the coming days, India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. The system is already bringing unstable conditions to Sri Lanka and parts of South India, with forecasts warning of heavy rainfall, rough seas and strong winds.
System Strengthens Near Sri Lanka Coast
IMD reports that the depression is currently positioned about 170 km east of Hambantota in Sri Lanka and 210 km southeast of Batticaloa. It evolved around the same period as Cyclone Senyar, which recently moved away from the Bay of Bengal and was centred over northeastern Indonesia and the Malacca Strait late Wednesday.
If the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Cyclone Ditva, a name proposed by Yemen and approved by the World Meteorological Organization’s regional panel. The term “Ditva” refers to a well-known lake on Yemen’s Socotra Island.
Forecast Path and Intensification
According to IMD, the depression is expected to move northwestward across the southwest Bay of Bengal while skirting the Sri Lanka coast. It is likely to intensify into a deep depression by Thursday, and could strengthen further as it approaches the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coastlines over the next 48 hours.
Meteorologists warn that if the system deepens as expected, it could bring widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds and dangerous sea conditions along the southern peninsular coast.
Heavy Rainfall Alerts Until December 1
Tamil Nadu, especially its northern belt, is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall (64–204 mm in 24 hours) until December 1. On November 29–30, isolated locations may experience extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204 mm within 24 hours.
The IMD has cautioned fishermen, advising them not to venture into rough seas due to high waves, strong winds and the risk of storm surge in vulnerable pockets.
Orange Alert for Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu has issued Orange Alerts for several coastal districts.
Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has also sounded an Orange Alert for Prakasam, SPSR Nellore, Anantapuram, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor on November 30, as the system moves closer to its coast.
Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal stretches to stay alert, follow official advisories, and prepare for potential flooding, power outages and transport disruptions.
