Cyclone Ditwah: One dead in Tamil Nadu, heavy rain in coastal districts, 37 flight services cancelled

CHENNAI: Heavy rain continues to lash various districts of Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwah. In Thanjavur district, a young woman died after a house collapsed in the downpour. The deceased has been identified as Renuka (22), a native of Alamankurichi in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur. The incident happened around 1 am today.

Renuka was sleeping at home with her father, mother and sister when the house suddenly collapsed. Hearing a loud noise, neighbours rushed to the spot and found the house destroyed. Although Renuka was rushed to the hospital, her life could not be saved. The other three family members were injured and are undergoing treatment.

Thanjavur has been experiencing very heavy rain over the past few days. Rain continues to lash the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu due to the cyclone’s influence. Officials said that 37 flights from Chennai have been cancelled so far. Widespread crop damage has been reported in Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur districts. Nearly 5,000 hectares of farmland have been flooded in Nagapattinam alone.

Cyclone Ditwah is currently moving parallel to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast at a low speed. It is expected to cross the northern Tamil Nadu coast by this evening. Authorities have also issued a heavy rain warning for the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh.