New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has undertaken extensive preparatory measures, including the establishment of a 24/7 control room, to ensure the robustness of telecom networks in view of Cyclone Ditwah over the Bay of Bengal. Cyclone Ditwah is expected to hit coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The DoT control room will coordinate with service providers and provide immediate response through district administrations and state disaster management authorities. According to an official statement issued on Sunday, all telecom service providers have been directed to ensure uninterrupted network operations, adequate fuel reserves, emergency power backup preparations, and deployment of field response teams in vulnerable districts.
As per standard operating procedures, the DoT has completed intra-circle roaming and cell broadcast testing on all networks to ensure communication continuity and early warning during emergencies. The statement further stated that the DoT is closely monitoring the situation through regular updates from its control rooms and TSPs to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during and after the cyclone.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a yellow alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh, warning of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning as Cyclone Ditwah impacts the weather along the country’s east coast.
Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwah. 149 cattle were killed and 57,000 hectares of agricultural land were affected in the delta districts.
The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) has predicted that most of the rainfall will be confined to northern Tamil Nadu on Sunday, after which the rain and winds will gradually subside from Monday. Torrential rains caused by the cyclone have battered several southern coastal and delta districts of Tamil Nadu since Friday night, flooding several villages, damaging agricultural crops and submerging salt fields.
In Andhra Pradesh, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Nellore, Chittoor, and Tirupati districts as Cyclone Ditvaah is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rains and gusty winds across the state. The AP State Disaster Management Authority and the NDRF have deployed teams for relief and rescue operations.
