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Cyclone Ditwah Updates: The Chennai airport cancelled 54 flights on Saturday and has announced 47 cancellations for Sunday including 36 domestic and 11 international.
Ramanathapuram: Strong winds bend palm trees and waves crash against a seawall during rough sea conditions triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Cyclone Ditwah continued to advance towards the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts on Saturday, prompting a red alert and extensive preparations across the region. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system moved nearly northwards at around 5 kmph over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coastline, maintaining its intensity as it inched closer to the mainland.
As of 11:30 pm on 29 November, the cyclonic storm was centred near latitude 10.7°N and longitude 80.6°E. It lay roughly 90 km east-northeast of Vedaranyam, 90 km east-southeast of Karaikal, 130 km north-northeast of Jaffna, 160 km south-southeast of Puducherry and about 260 km south of Chennai. IMD projections indicate that the storm will track almost parallel to the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline over the next 24 hours, coming within 50 km by early Sunday morning and narrowing to just 25 km by Sunday evening. The storm is expected to make landfall today, November, 30. However, as per reports, landfall is unlikely today.
Heavy rainfall and warnings across multiple districts
The IMD issued a red alert for several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, forecasting extremely heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, along with the Puducherry-Karaikal region, are expected to bear the brunt of the downpour. Southern and delta districts of Tamil Nadu have already begun experiencing torrential rain, with conditions set to intensify as the system edges closer.
The storm, currently packing winds of 70-80 kmph, may not classify as an extremely severe system, but authorities warn that its slow movement and proximity to the coast could heighten the impact. “These wind speeds are not that high but they can have large-scale impact on standing crops,” said IMD Director General M Mohapatra. “There can be inundation of low-lying areas. Storm surge of half to one metre is likely tonight.”
Storm preparations as states brace for impact
In response to the storm, Tamil Nadu has deployed 28 disaster response teams and prepared 6,000 relief camps across vulnerable districts. The state government is reviewing emergency plans, readying shelters and coordinating with local agencies to manage what is now the second major weather system to threaten the region this month.
Five teams of 6 BN NDRF, equipped with FWR and CSSR assets, have been airlifted from Vadodara, Gujarat, to Chennai for deployment in Tamil Nadu, in view of the prevailing situation due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The cyclone’s approach comes amid devastating losses in neighbouring Sri Lanka, where at least 153 people have died and nearly 200 remain missing following heavy rains linked to Ditwah earlier in the week.
Chennai and neighbouring coastal cities have stepped up precautionary measures. The Chennai airport cancelled 54 flights on Saturday and has announced 47 cancellations for Sunday including 36 domestic and 11 international. Officials caution that additional changes are likely, urging passengers to confirm schedules with their airlines. The railways have activated a dedicated war room to monitor disruptions and mobilise rapid repair teams if required.
All about Cyclone Ditwah
Cyclone Ditwah is the 14th tropical depression and fourth named storm of the 2025 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka, it intensified swiftly as it tracked north-northwestward, aligning close to the eastern coastline.
By 10 pm on Saturday, the storm was positioned 80 km southeast of Vedaranyam, 100 km southeast of Karaikal, 190 km south-southeast of Puducherry and around 290 km south of Chennai. It is expected to continue its north-northwest movement, remaining over the southwest Bay while brushing close to the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts through Sunday.
Authorities continue to urge caution, advising residents to remain indoors, avoid coastal stretches and follow instructions issued by district officials as the cyclone makes its closest approach.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Tamil Nadu, India, India
November 30, 2025, 07:07 IST
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