Chennai, November 30 (IANS). Cyclone Ditvaha, which formed near southwestern Bay of Bengal and northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, is now moving northward at a speed of 5 kmph and has intensified into a deep depression. According to IMD Chennai, at 5.30 pm on November 30, it lay 90 km east of Cuddalore, 130 km north-northeast of Karaikal, 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 140 km south-southeast of Chennai. The system was only 80 km from the coast. It is likely to weaken further and form a deep depression in the next 24 hours. It may reach a distance of about 40 km from the coast on Sunday evening and about 20 km on Monday morning. The cyclone is being monitored by Doppler weather radars located at Karaikal and Chennai. Cyclone Ditvaah is likely to cause heavy rains in many districts including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Ranipet. Warning has been issued in many places about this. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, avoid low-lying areas or coastal areas and strictly follow safety advice. Fishermen were warned not to enter the sea. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav held a high-level review with General Managers of Southern Railway and their teams to ensure less disruption in services during Cyclone Ditvah. He directed the officers to activate war rooms at divisional, regional and railway board levels for continuous monitoring. Dedicated helplines and passenger help desks are set up to assist passengers affected by cancellation, diversion or delay of trains. The Minister stressed on close coordination with authorities and active communication with passengers until complete normalcy is restored. Cyclone Ditvaha caused great devastation in Sri Lanka. The Indian Air Force is conducting international relief and rescue operations in Sri Lanka. –IANS AMT/ABM Share this story Tags