Cyclone Ditwah: Pondicherry Central University Postpones Exams; Schools Closed

The Pondicherry Central University has announced that all exams scheduled for Saturday have been postponed, and a holiday has been declared for all classes due to Cyclone Ditwah, which is approaching the

union territory coast, reported PTI.

A release from the University Registrar on Friday night stated that the examinations were postponed, and classes cancelled, following a communication from the Coast Guard regarding the cyclone and heavy rains.

A revised date for the examinations will be announced in due course, the release added.

Furthermore, in a preemptive move against the approaching Cyclone Ditwah, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for all schools across the state on Saturday. No special classes will be conducted across any schools in the state.

According to a press release from the School Education Department, it stated, “The Meteorological Department has said that there will be heavy rain in the coastal districts and adjoining districts on Saturday (today). Therefore, all schools across Tamil Nadu will be closed on Saturday (today). No special classes should be held in schools.”

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that cyclone ‘Ditwah’, presently near Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to slightly intensify and head towards the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast by early November 30. This could lead to heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential urban flooding across various southern states.

The cyclonic storm is moving north-northwest across the Bay of Bengal, currently situated 220 km from Karaikal and steadily advancing towards the north Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coast. It is anticipated to reach in the early hours of November 30, according to IMD.

IMD forecasts isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Rayalaseema from November 29 to December 1, with isolated extremely heavy falls over south Coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema on November 30.