Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies as It Moves Toward Tamil Nadu Coast
Cyclone Ditwah has disrupted life across Tamil Nadu as it moves steadily toward the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Authorities have cancelled flights, halted trains and declared school holidays across multiple districts. Moreover, the IMD has issued an orange alert as the storm continues to intensify over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
The system is currently located near coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining Bay region. It has already caused widespread damage in Sri Lanka. According to the country’s Disaster Management Centre, 123 people have died, and 130 remain missing after week-long heavy rains and floods. Moreover, local officials said nearly 44,000 people have been shifted to welfare centres after their homes were destroyed.
The #Cyclonic Storm #Ditwah [Pronunciation: Ditwah] over southwest #Bay_of_Bengal and adjoining north #Srilanka moved north-northwestwards with the speed of 8 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 29th November 2025 over the same region, near… pic.twitter.com/7IEPqqBc7I
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 29, 2025
Cyclone Ditwah is moving north-northwest at 8 kmph. At 8:30 am on Saturday, it was positioned 280 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 380 km south of Chennai. IMD said the system will likely reach the Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday.
IMD Forecast Warns of Gale-Force Winds and Heavy Rainfall
The IMD said winds along the coast currently range between 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph. Moreover, the storm is expected to strengthen further. Gale-force winds could reach 70–80 kmph with gusts up to 90 kmph between Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
Sea conditions have been described as rough to very rough. Additionally, the IMD forecast warns that the sea may turn very rough to high until Sunday. Authorities expect the system to move close to the coastline within 25 to 60 km over the next 24 hours.
Meteorologists have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal zones. Moreover, district administrations continue to monitor the situation through control rooms.
Flight Cancellations and Travel Disruptions Hit Tamil Nadu
Chennai Airport authorities have cancelled 54 flights in view of the worsening weather. Moreover, they suspended several ATR-type turboprop flights scheduled between Saturday morning and night. Flights connecting Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaffna have been affected.
Both arrivals and departures have been suspended. Airlines have advised passengers to avoid last-minute travel. Airport officials said the move was necessary due to strong winds and expected intense rainfall.
Rail services have also been disrupted. Trains from Chennai, Kanyakumari and Madurai to Rameswaram were halted at Mandapam. Moreover, government buses were arranged to ferry passengers to the island. Services from Rameswaram will originate from Mandapam until conditions improve.
Schools Shut, Exams Postponed as Rains Lash Districts
District authorities have announced holidays for schools and colleges across several regions. According to official orders, educational institutions are shut today in Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Puducherry and Karaikal.
In Villupuram, Thanjavur and Tiruchi, only schools are closed. Colleges remain open unless new instructions are issued. Moreover, Pondicherry Central University has postponed all exams scheduled for Saturday. A release from the university said the decision followed a Coast Guard alert about the cyclone.
Chennai and its neighbouring districts continue to receive intense rainfall. IMD forecasts very heavy spells for Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai. Additionally, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Salem, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Tiruchi and Ariyalur. Delta districts such as Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam may receive intense spells.
Tamil Nadu Strengthens Preparedness as SDRF and NDRF Teams Deployed
District administrations have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Moreover, they urge people to stay away from waterlogged areas and monitor official updates. Fishermen have been strictly warned against venturing into the sea due to dangerous conditions.
Fishermen in Thanjavur have anchored their boats as a precaution. More than 1,500 mechanised boats and 2,000 country boats have been secured along the coast.
Chief Minister MK Stalin held consultations with District Collectors from 14 districts on Friday. Moreover, the state has deployed 16 SDRF teams and 12 NDRF teams across key regions including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam and Thoothukudi.
Authorities have also asked tourists to avoid Dhanushkodi, a fragile coastal zone devastated in the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone.
The state continues to prepare for the storm’s impact as Cyclone Ditwah moves closer to the coast.