Chennai: Cyclone Ditwah brought life to a standstill along the Ramanathapuram coastline on Saturday, with high tides, strong winds and persistent rainfall disrupting transport, damaging fishing equipment and forcing the evacuation of vulnerable families.

With wind speeds reaching 65–70 kmph, Southern Railway suspended all train operations over the Pamban sea bridge as a precautionary safety measure. Trains from Chennai, Kanyakumari and Madurai bound for Rameswaram were halted at Mandapam, where government buses were arranged to transport passengers to the island. Services originating from Rameswaram will temporarily operate from Mandapam until weather conditions stabilise.

Railway officials said services would resume only after wind speeds fall below danger levels to ensure the structural safety of the sea bridge.

Heavy rain and powerful gusts lashed Rameswaram, Mandapam and Pamban, with fishermen racing to protect boats from the turbulent waters. The district recorded an average of 2 cm of rainfall by Friday afternoon. In Rameswaram harbour, a mechanised fishing vessel broke free from its anchor and washed ashore at Serankottai due to rough waves.

Coastal erosion intensified in exposed stretches, dragging several country boats into the sea. Fishermen braved the weather to retrieve and secure drifting vessels.

District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, who reviewed preparedness in fishing hamlets, said the winds posed a significant threat even though rainfall remained moderate.

“The coastal areas are witnessing winds of 50–70 kmph. Considering safety, about 40 residents from the fishing settlement in Dhanushkodi have been relocated to the government school in Rameswaram,” he said, adding that disaster response teams are deployed across coastal villages and evacuations will be expanded if sea surge or heavy rain intensifies.

Tourist access to Dhanushkodi has been suspended until further notice to prevent mishaps along the vulnerable shoreline. Police have barricaded Pudu Road and turned back visitors attempting to reach the edge of the island.

With Cyclone Ditwah continuing its northward movement over the Bay of Bengal, district authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring sea conditions, coastal settlements and transport routes to minimise risk to residents and travellers.

IANS