Following Cyclone Senyar, another cyclonic storm, named Ditwah, has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coastlines by November 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. Authorities have issued warnings for coastal districts to remain alert as the storm approaches.

While Cyclone Senyar, which had formed in the Strait of Malacca, gradually moved away from Indian territory towards Malaysia, another low-pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm. This new system, Cyclone Ditwah, has emerged close to the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, near Pottuvil, located roughly 700 km south-southeast of Chennai.

According to the IMD, the storm is expected to move in a north-northwesterly direction and reach off the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by early November 30. Several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, and Thanjavur, have been placed under yellow and orange alerts from November 27 to 29 to ensure preparedness and precautionary measures in the region.

The IMD clarified that Cyclone Ditwah was formed near coordinates 6.9°N and 81.9°E at 11:30 IST on Thursday. At the time of the report, it lay approximately 90 km south-southeast of Batticaloa, 120 km northeast of Hambantota, 200 km south-southeast of Trincomalee, and 700 km south-southeast of Chennai. The cyclone is named Ditwah, a name submitted by Yemen, as part of the roster of names for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean.

Cyclone Senyar: A Rare Phenomenon in the Strait of Malacca

Cyclone Senyar, which had previously captured attention in the Strait of Malacca, is now moving away from Indian territory and is expected to affect Northern Sumatra with heavy rains and potential flooding. The Strait of Malacca, a narrow waterway between Peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, rarely witnesses cyclones of this magnitude. Meteorologists have described Senyar as a “rare” event due to its intensity and location.

MetMalaysia, Malaysia’s meteorological agency, reported that Senyar was detected at latitude 4.5 degrees north and longitude 97.9 degrees east. The storm was moving west-southwest at a speed of 9 kmph with maximum sustained winds of 83 kmph. Its closest point to Malaysia was approximately 284 km southwest of George Town, Penang. Continuous heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas are expected in northern Malaysian states, prompting authorities to issue tropical storm alerts.

Experts have noted that the last significant weather system recorded in the Strait of Malacca was a tropical depression in 2017 that affected Penang. However, for a system of tropical storm strength to form in the strait, as seen with Senyar, is unprecedented in the recorded meteorological history of the region. Observers on social media highlighted that, based on forecasts by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Senyar could become the first tropical cyclone in recorded history to make landfall on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, after Typhoon Vamei in 2001.

IMD Advisories and Preparedness Measures

The IMD has urged the public in the affected coastal districts to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Fishermen have been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea until the cyclone passes. The agency has also emphasized that the storm could bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas, leading to potential flooding and disruption in low-lying areas.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry have been instructed to activate emergency response teams, ensure the readiness of shelters, and monitor rivers and drainage systems in vulnerable areas. District administrations are coordinating with disaster management authorities to minimize potential damage and ensure the safety of residents.

Scientific Significance

The formation of Cyclone Ditwah in the Bay of Bengal comes shortly after Cyclone Senyar’s unusual emergence in the Strait of Malacca, underscoring an active period in the North Indian Ocean during this season. While the Bay of Bengal frequently witnesses cyclonic activity between October and December, the parallel occurrence of Senyar and Ditwah, along with Senyar’s rarity, has drawn attention from meteorologists and disaster management experts across the region.

The developments highlight the importance of robust early warning systems, timely evacuation plans, and community awareness programs. Experts stress that climate change and rising sea surface temperatures may contribute to more frequent or intense cyclonic activity in the Indian Ocean, making preparedness measures essential for coastal populations.

As Cyclone Ditwah progresses toward the Tamil Nadu-Andhra-Puducherry coastline, authorities continue to monitor its trajectory, wind speed, and rainfall projections to ensure timely advisories and mitigate the impact of the storm. Residents in vulnerable coastal regions are urged to stay informed through official channels and avoid venturing into low-lying or coastal areas until the cyclone passes.

Conclusion

The simultaneous occurrence of Cyclone Senyar in the Strait of Malacca and Cyclone Ditwah in the Bay of Bengal is being viewed as an unusual meteorological event in the region. While Senyar is now moving away toward Sumatra and northern Malaysia, Ditwah is gaining intensity and is likely to make landfall on the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coast by November 30. The IMD has issued warnings and advised residents in coastal districts to remain alert and prepared. This period serves as a reminder of the need for continuous monitoring, early warning dissemination, and community preparedness in regions prone to cyclones.