Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc with deadly floods and rescue teams on alert
Cyclone Ditwah has brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, causing fatalities and widespread damage. Authorities have issued alerts and mobilised rescue teams as the storm continues to impact the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for several districts, including Nellore, Chittoor, and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Northern Tamil Nadu is expected to face intense rainfall on Sunday, with conditions easing from Monday. Three people have died in Tamil Nadu, and 149 cattle have perished due to rain-related incidents. Over 57,000 hectares of farmland have also been affected by the storm. In response, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set up a 24/7 Control Room to maintain network resilience. All telecom providers have been ordered to ensure uninterrupted services, with adequate fuel reserves, emergency power backups, and field response teams in vulnerable areas. Testing for Intra Circle Roaming and Cell Broadcast has been completed to keep communication lines open during emergencies. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have deployed teams for relief and rescue operations. The DoT is coordinating closely with service providers, district administrations, and state disaster management authorities to facilitate a swift response. Cyclone Ditwah has already caused loss of life, livestock, and crop damage across affected regions. Relief efforts are underway, with authorities working to restore normalcy and ensure continuous communication services in the coming days.
