Cyclone Ditwah Tracker Highlights: Heavy rains in Tamil Nadu as India braces for storm

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, reviews preparation at State Disaster Force control room.

As per the latest IMD updates, Cyclone Ditwah lay centred over the Vedaranyam coast in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district on Saturday. Choppy waves damaged a few mechanised fishing boats anchored near Mandapam, while portions of nearby roads were breached due to sea erosion, reported PTI

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness measures with the General Manager and teams of Southern Railways to ensure minimum disruption to rail services and ensure safety for passengers and coastal populations, as per official information.

According to State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran, 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."

According to State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran, it was not clear if Cyclone Ditwah will hit the coast near Chennai. But the state government is fully prepared to launch rescue and relief activities on a war footing, he said.

"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," reported PTI quoting Ramachandran.

Two transport aircraft of the IAF – C-130J and IL-76 – delivered nearly 21 tonnes of relief material in Colombo on Saturday as part of India's humanitarian assistance extended to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

A C-130J transport aircraft carrying approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, landed in Colombo today morning.

Also, INS Sukanya, carrying more humanitarian aid, has left Visakhapatnam and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon, officials said.

IMD shared an update on Cyclone Ditwah's path, stating that the storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving North - Northwest and is expected near the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–South Andhra Pradesh coast by early Sunday, 30 November

The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a red alert in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah approaches closer to the coastal areas.

The US and the Maldivian governments on Saturday also sent relief materials to Sri Lanka. The US announced an immediate allocation of 2 million dollars to support emergency relief efforts. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said communities across the island are facing “difficult days” with heavy rains and widespread flooding affecting many areas.

The death toll in Sri Lanka rose to 153 due to landslides and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah, officials said on Saturday, with 191 others missing and more than half a million affected nationwide, as per a report by Reuters.

In Chennai, an official of the Water Resources Department said surplus water from Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs would be let out into the sea as a precaution to safeguard the dams, reported PTI

Rains triggered by Cyclone Ditwah lashed the coastal areas and Cauvery delta districts on Saturday, with Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts bearing the brunt. Daily life in Rameswaram was affected for the second consecutive day owing to continuous rain accompanied by gusty winds.

Air India issued a passenger advisory for its flyers stating that heavy rain and strong winds resulting from Cyclone Ditwah may impact flights operating to and from Chennai and some other cities in the southern India. The Tata group owned airline advised passengers to keep tabs on their flight status

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain said that under the influence of Cyclone Ditwah, isolated places in Tirupati and Chittoor districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday. Heavy rain is also expected in parts of Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Annamayya districts.

According to IMD, the cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka moved northwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours and remained centred over the same region as of 11:30 am.

The IMD forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Andhra Pradesh for four days from November 30 to December 3 under the influence of cyclonic storm Ditwah.

Flood-affected people evacuated after heavy rainfall in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo. On Saturday, Sri Lanka made an appeal for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 123, with another 130 reported missing. Here's a glimpse

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday stated that another Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 has reached Colombo as part of India's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka. Sharing the update on X, Jaishankar noted that the aircraft arrived with "9 tons relief material" and "2 Urban Search & Rescue Teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel."

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with another 130 reported missing.

Chennai Airport officials announced on Saturday that 54 flights across various districts of Tamil Nadu have been cancelled due to Cyclone Ditwah. As a precaution, 16 flights from Chennai to Thoothukudi, Madurai and Trichy, along with 16 return flights from these cities to Chennai, were suspended. In comparison, 22 flights from Madurai, Trichy and Puducherry to Bengaluru and Hyderabad were also cancelled.

Cyclone Ditwah has exited Sri Lanka after leaving more than 120 dead, amid a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure. People were seen using boats to move on flooded streets, following heavy rains in Malwana. Here's a glimpse

The death toll from heavy floods and mudslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka rose to 123, with 130 people still missing, authorities said Saturday. The death toll, is however, expected to rise further. Nearly 44,000 people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters, the South Asian country's disaster management center said.

The death toll from heavy floods and mudslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka rose to 123, with 130 people still missing, authorities said on Saturday

The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian nationals impacted by Cyclone Ditwah. The mission announced the arrangement in an update posted on X.

Tamil Nadu: With Cyclone Ditwah approaching he coastal areas, Nagapattinam has receiving continuous rainfall leading to waterlogging in several low lying areas.

Tamil Nadu Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister MRK Panneerselvam said precautionary measures are being implemented in Cuddalore district in view of Cyclone Ditwah.

Speaking to reporters, Panneerselvam said that inspections were conducted under the supervision of the District Collector to ensure public safety amid heavy rainfall. He added that arrangements have been made to provide accommodation and food for more than one lakh people in the district.

Cyclone Ditwah has exited Sri Lanka after leaving more than 120 dead and a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure behind. It is entering the south Indian coastal line, meteorological officials said.

“We noticed Ditwah exiting Sri Lanka and heading towards the Indian coast,” Athula Karunanayake, director general of the meteorology department, told reporters.

“However, its indirect impact with heavy rains and high speed winds will remain for some time,” he added.

Sri Lanka made an appeal for international assistance on Saturday as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 123, with another 130 reported missing.

India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused severe devastation, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifting 21 tonnes of relief material,.

The IAF stated, "In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, India swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts," underscoring India's commitment to supporting neighbouring countries during natural disasters under its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework.

Nearly 300 passengers, including around 150 Tamilians travelling from Dubai to India via Sri Lanka, have been stranded at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport for the last three days after Cyclone Ditwah forced the cancellation of multiple flights to Chennai.

Passengers alleged they have been left without adequate food, water, and basic facilities, as operations remain disrupted by severe weather.

Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh between the evening of November 29 and the morning of November 30.

The impact of the cyclone is expected to be widespread and will be felt on 30 November in multiple states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

A total of 54 flights have been cancelled across multiple districts in Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwah, Chennai Airport officials said on Saturday.

As a precautionary measure against the cyclonic storm and anticipated heavy rainfall affecting the southern and central districts, 16 flights from Chennai to Thoothukudi, Madurai, and Trichy have been cancelled. Similarly, 16 flights from Thoothukudi, Trichy, and Madurai to Chennai were also suspended. Additionally, 22 flights from Madurai, Trichy, and Puducherry to Bengaluru and Hyderabad have been suspended.

The Tamil Nadu administration has warned people not to venture out unnecessarily due to the adverse weather conditions of strong gales and heavy downpour.

A tourist van got stranded in an area marooned near a canal in Ramanthapuram district of Tamil Nadu as heavy rains lashed the coastal areas. The occupants, however, had a providential escape as they managed to step out through the rear door.

As Cyclone Ditwah approaches the coast, Nagapattinam continues to receive heavy rainfall leading to waterlogging in parts of the city.

NDRF deployed teams to Sri Lanka under 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' for Cyclone Ditwah relief.

Two NDRF teams comprising 80 rescuers and 4 canines, under the command of P K Tiwary, Commandant 8th Battalion, along with specialised HADR equipment and relief material, departed earlier today aboard an IAF IL-76 aircraft from Hindon Air Base for Colombo.

Flightradar24 image shows no flights flying over Tamil Nadu coasts.

On 29 November at 5:30 AM, the cyclonic storm was positioned near “latitude 9.4°N and longitude 80.7°E, about 80 km east-southeast of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), 110 km north-northwest of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 190 km south-southeast of Karaikal (India), 300 km south-southeast of Puducherry (India) and 400 km south of Chennai (India),” IMD said.

• Stay indoors and avoid coastal areas.
• Follow official advisories and avoid spreading rumors.
• Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea.

Kurnool, Dr B R Ambedkar, Konaseema, West Godavari, NTR District, Krishna, Palnadu, Guntur, Nandyal, Anantapuramu, Sri Sathya Sai, YSR and Annamayya districts of Andhra Pradesh are on IMD's yellow alert for heavy rains.

Tirupathi, Chittoor, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh are on IMD's orange alert for heavy rains.

Vellore, Tirupattur Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Namakkal and Karur districts of Tamil Nadu on IMD's yellow alert.

Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal area are on IMD's orange alert today.

In addition to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts of Tamil Nadu are on IMD's red alert today.

As rains due to cyclone Ditwah continue, three reservoirs of Idukki district of Kerala are on red alert due to rising water level. Meanwhile, Thrissur and Kozhikode reservoirs are on orange alert.

Besides flight cancellations, land transport has also been disrupted by cyclonic storm Ditwah. Southern Railway in a post on X stated, “Southern Railway has announced cancellations, partial cancellations and short terminations for selected services on 28 and 29 November 2025.” Check full list here

IndiGo airline issued a travel advisory and in a post on X stated, “Due to the prevailing cyclonic conditions and heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Ditwah, flights to and from #Jaffna, #Pondicherry, #Tuticorin, and #Trichy may experience disruptions.”

The adverse weather conditions have affected flight operations at Chennai International Airport due to which several flights scheduled for 29 November have been cancelled.

IMD forecasted extremely heavy rainfall over coastal Tamil Nadu till 30 November. In its latest press release, the weather agency said, “Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Rayalaseema during 29th November-1st December with isolated extremely heavy falls over south Coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema on 30th November.”

Cyclone Ditwah to bring heavy rains in Kerala today while Karnataka and Telangana can brace for heavy downpour today and tomorrow.

Thunderstorm and lightning will accompany the heavy rains, IMD said. Similar weather conditions are very likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema till 2 December.

The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has reached 69, with 34 people still reported missing as of Friday amid ongoing severe weather. India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief to the affected nation.

Citing Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC), The Daily Mirror Online mentioned that the storm, which began on November 16, has impacted 219,286 people from more than 63,000 families across the country.