Cyclone Ditwah Loses Momentum, Coastal Andhra Braces for Residual Impact

Well, sometimes the news we hope for actually arrives. What began as Cyclone Ditwah, a rather ominous presence brewing over the Bay of Bengal, has thankfully begun to lose its punch. According to the latest bulletins from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ditwah has now weakened from a full-blown cyclone into a deep depression. It’s a significant downgrade, bringing a collective sigh of relief across coastal communities, though the danger isn’t entirely past, not by a long shot.

Currently, this deep depression is swirling over the west-central Bay of Bengal, quite close to the Andhra Pradesh coastline. It’s been observed just a touch north-northeast of Machilipatnam and west-southwest of Kakinada, moving steadily, if somewhat slowly, in a west-northwesterly direction. The experts anticipate that this system will make landfall, crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast right between Machilipatnam and Kakinada, sometime around noon or early afternoon today. Keep those eyes on the weather updates, folks.

Now, while it’s great news that it’s no longer a cyclone, let’s be clear: a deep depression is still a serious weather event. In fact, the IMD predicts it will continue its weakening trend, transforming into just a depression by tonight or early tomorrow morning. So, the intensity is decreasing, which is fantastic, but the potential for significant weather impacts remains very real for the next 24 hours.

As for what this means on the ground? Well, brace yourselves for some heavy downpours. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are expected to bear the brunt, facing heavy to very heavy rainfall. Further inland, areas like Rayalaseema, southern Odisha, and southern Chhattisgarh are also looking at heavy rainfall. And for many other regions, light to moderate showers are definitely on the cards. So, umbrellas and raincoats will be your best friends.

Beyond the rains, the wind remains a factor, too. While the cyclonic winds have diminished, the deep depression is still packing a decent gust. We’re talking about sustained wind speeds of 55-65 kmph, with gusts potentially hitting 75 kmph right now. Once it crosses the coast, these speeds are expected to drop a bit, settling around 45-55 kmph, with gusts up to 65 kmph. It's still enough to cause some disruption, so secure those loose items!

Crucially, for those living near the coast and especially our fishing communities: the sea conditions are still far from ideal. The west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, North Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, are experiencing rough to very rough seas. The advice is crystal clear: fishermen, please do not venture into these waters. Safety first, always.

So, while the immediate threat of a powerful cyclone has receded, vigilance is still the order of the day. Stay informed, listen to local authorities, and take all necessary precautions. We’re moving in the right direction, but the weather always deserves our respect.