Cyclone Ditwah continues to surge north-northwest over the Bay of Bengal and is now positioned around 220 km from Karaikal, steadily closing in on the north Tamil Nadu–south Andhra Pradesh coastline. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is expected to near the coast in the early hours of November 30. Even before landfall, high waves, intense winds and intermittent rain have already begun affecting coastal pockets of the Union Territory as the storm edges closer.
The cyclone has left a devastating trail in Sri Lanka, where relentless rainfall and Ditwah’s landfall triggered widespread destruction. More than 120 people have died and over 130 remain missing. Entire neighbourhoods have been drowned, landslides have wiped out large swathes of land, and rescue teams are racing against time to reach those stranded on rooftops, treetops and submerged buildings. With heavy rain forecast for Tamil Nadu’s southern and delta regions, the state government has moved into emergency mode—mobilising disaster response teams, activating shelters and reviewing preparedness for what is now the second significant weather system this month.
The cyclonic circulation in the southwest Bay of Bengal is currently moving north-northwest and is predicted to hover near the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh coastline by early November 30. Models indicate it will maintain this trajectory while remaining over the southwest Bay, close to the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.
Satellite visuals show thick cloud buildup over the southwest Bay and Sri Lanka’s coastal belt as the system progresses.
IMD’s tracking suggests that Cyclone Ditwah will pass increasingly closer to the coastline—coming within 60 km by midnight, narrowing to 50 km in the early hours of November 30, and approaching within 25 km by Sunday evening. It is expected to move parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast as a deep depression thereafter.
A red alert has been issued for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh, with warnings of extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) across coastal Tamil Nadu today and over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on November 30. Coastal Andhra Pradesh–Yanam is expected to see heavy to extremely heavy downpours from November 29–30, while Kerala, Mahe and Telangana may face heavy rain in consecutive cycles.
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre has confirmed 123 deaths after days of torrential rain and the cyclone’s impact triggered extensive floods and landslides, AFP reported. More than 43,900 people have been evacuated to state-run shelters. On Friday evening, the Kelani River overflowed near Colombo, forcing authorities to issue fresh evacuation advisories.
India has initiated a large-scale relief mission to assist Sri Lanka. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Air Force deployed a C-130 and an IL-76 aircraft from Hindan, carrying 21 tonnes of relief materials, 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of search-and-rescue equipment. The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka under the “Neighbourhood First” policy.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo has opened a 24x7 emergency desk at Bandaranaike International Airport. Distressed Indian citizens may contact +94 773727832 (WhatsApp enabled). Food, water and essential supplies are being arranged for stranded passengers.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin conducted a series of high-level meetings with district collectors and senior officials. A red alert has been issued for the southern and delta belts. Stalin said senior ministers and IAS officers have been stationed in vulnerable areas, and evacuations from flood-prone zones will begin immediately. The state has prepared 6,000 shelters across Tamil Nadu.
Alongside its external relief efforts, India has bolstered domestic readiness. Fourteen NDRF teams are already stationed across Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts. Additional units have been assigned to Puducherry, while 10 more teams from Pune and Vadodara are en route to Chennai.
IndiGo has cancelled multiple flights to and from Jaffna, Puducherry, Tuticorin and Tiruchirappalli for November 29 due to turbulent cyclonic conditions. The airline has advised passengers to track flight updates. Affected travellers will receive refunds or alternate arrangements. Air India has also warned of possible disruptions on Chennai-bound and other south Indian routes.
Southern Railway cancelled the Rameswaram–Okha Express on Friday night after winds touched 58 kmph near the Pamban Bridge. Several trains originating from the Rameswaram–Chennai corridor have been reassigned to start from Mandapam, Ramanathapuram and Ucchippuli for the next two days.
Tamil Nadu’s health department has placed emergency medical teams on duty across all government hospitals, ensuring backup power availability. Relief camps with food, drinking water and essentials have been stocked. Officials have been instructed to clear floodwater swiftly and secure loose electrical lines to prevent accidents.
India held their nerve in a high-scoring semi-final in Mumbai to edge past England by seven runs and
Read More
A search operation is underway after an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI combat aircraft disappeared from r
Read More
An Iranian naval frigate that had recently taken part in an international exercise in India was dest
Read More
