Cyclone Ditwah is intensifying as it moves towards the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, with landfall expected early on November 30, 2025. Red alerts have been issued for heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts, following devastation in Sri Lanka where at least 69 people have died. Authorities have declared school holidays and suspended fishing operations in affected areas.
Cyclone Ditwah, originating near Sri Lanka in the southwest Bay of Bengal, has been moving north-northwest at 7 kmph and is forecast to reach the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by early morning on November 30, 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns that the storm may intensify slightly before landfall, bringing strong surface winds of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, over the delta region and adjoining coastal areas.
In Tamil Nadu, a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on November 29 covers Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu districts, and Puducherry. Orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rain apply to Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts, along with Karaikal. On November 30, red alerts shift to Tiruvallur and Ranipet, while orange alerts cover Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, and Dharmapuri. Chennai faces heavy to very heavy rain, with temperatures around 28-29°C maximum and 24-25°C minimum on November 29.
In Andhra Pradesh, a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on November 30 targets Nellore, Chittoor, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts. Orange alerts cover Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, and Rayalaseema regions, with yellow alerts for other districts like Anantapur and Guntur. Widespread rain is expected in south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 29 and 30.
The cyclone has already caused severe devastation in Sri Lanka, with 69 deaths reported and thousands displaced, leading to power outages and landslides. India is providing aid to its neighbor under Operation Sagar Bandhu, including deployment of INS Vikrant and NDRF teams. School holidays have been declared in Tamil Nadu districts such as Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukottai on November 29. Fishing operations along Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh coasts are suspended until December 1, with rough sea conditions persisting. The storm is expected to weaken into a deep depression by December 1 morning and a depression by evening.
