Cyclone Ditwah, a powerful cyclonic storm currently over coastal Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is heading towards the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, expected to make landfall by the early morning of November 30, 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several districts in Tamil Nadu including Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and also for Puducherry, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and the risk of localized flooding and flash floods, particularly in urban and hilly areas.
The storm has already caused significant devastation in Sri Lanka, claiming over 123 lives and leaving more than 130 people missing due to floods and landslides. IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra highlighted that the cyclone is moving north-northwest and is likely to intensify slightly as it moves into the Bay of Bengal. Heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected to continue in southern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry until December 1, raising the risk of inundation especially in coastal and delta regions.
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In response to the disaster in Sri Lanka, India has dispatched National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams along with food and essential relief supplies to assist in rescue and recovery operations. Tamil Nadu has canceled 54 flights to mitigate risks from adverse weather conditions and has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into rough seas.
Authorities have activated emergency control rooms and precautionary measures are in full swing to minimize impact as the cyclone approaches, emphasizing vigilance among residents of vulnerable coastal and inland regions.
