Cyclone Ditwah – exited Sri Lanka on Saturday afternoon, killing at least 153 people, and leaving 191 others missing, Reuters news agency reported. The storm wreaked havoc in the island nation, causing floods and landslides in its wake. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ is likely to intensify slightly, while saying that it is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and make landfall in India on Sunday. It will reach over the Southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by Sunday morning
As Sri Lanka struggles with massive destruction, the same cyclone system is now pushing towards India’s southern coastline. Tamil Nadu and nearby states have been placed on high alert, with authorities warning of intense rainfall, strong winds and the likelihood of urban flooding in the coming days.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Ditwah moved nearly northwards at 10 kmph in the past six hours and lay centred at 1730 hrs IST on November 29, 2025, over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts.
It was located 110 km northeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 80 km east of Vedaranyam (Nagapattinam district), 100 km southeast of Karaikal, 190 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 290 km south of Chennai.
The system is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning on November 30.
Cyclone Ditwah also brought heavy rains to the Cauvery delta districts, as well as coastal districts, such as Ramanathapuram. A red alert has been issued for the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh
Warnings issued
Authorities have urged fishermen not to venture into the sea as strong winds, rough seas, and potential localised flooding along the coast has been predicted. Preparations are underway to evacuate people in low-lying areas, with disaster management teams on alert.
Meanwhile, a tourist van got stranded in an area near a canal in Ramanthapuram district. The occupants, however, had a providential escape as they managed to step out through the rear door.
The district administration has warned people not to venture out unnecessarily due to the adverse weather conditions of strong gales and heavy downpour.
Tourists have been asked not to visit Dhanushokodi on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, which is west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, as a precaution. The town was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone in Rameswaram.
NDRF, SDRF teams deployed
State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran said that the government is fully prepared to launch rescue and relief activities on a war footing.
“About 28 disaster response teams, including SDRF and NDRF teams, are on standby. We are planning to airlift 10 more teams from other states. The Air Force and Coast Guard have also been alerted. Additionally, monitoring teams will be sent to the districts tomorrow,” the minister told PTI.
There have been no fatalities so far, but 16 livestock have died, and 24 huts have been damaged.
“There has been no major impact due to the rain so far. However, the state government is continuously monitoring the situation and has readied teams for rescue and relief operations,” he added.
According to an official, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been deployed in the vulnerable districts in the state, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Mayiladuthurai.
Additional teams have been allocated for Puducherry and Chennai.
How hard could Cyclone Ditwah hit Indian coasts?
The IMD says Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall between north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh between November 29 and November 30. As it moves closer, both wind speeds and rainfall are set to intensify.
South coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema may see isolated “extremely heavy” rain on Sunday, according to the IMD. Gale winds of 70–80 kmph, with gusts touching 90 kmph, are expected along the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stretch. Sea conditions will also stay very rough, posing serious risks for fishermen and coastal communities.
