Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 11:04 IST

Cyclone Ditwah weakened near north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, causing heavy rain and three deaths. Sri Lanka reports 334 deaths and 1.3 million affected.

Cyclone Ditwah weakened into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal late Sunday as it continued moving northwards at around 10 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The system is expected to lose strength further and become a depression by Monday noon.

In its 2 am update, the IMD said the centre of the deep depression was located about 50 km off the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coasts. The agency had earlier issued a red alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu’s revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran confirmed that three people have died in rain-related incidents triggered by the cyclone.

Cyclone Ditwah: Key updates

1. The storm system weakened into a deep depression on Sunday night. At 11:30 pm, it was nearly stationary over the southwest Bay of Bengal after drifting northwards.
2. It lies around 90 km south-southeast of Chennai, 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 110 km east-northeast of Cuddalore, and 180 km north-northeast of Karaikal.
3. The deep depression will track northwards along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline and is expected to weaken into a depression by Monday. By morning, it may come as close as 30 km to the coastline.
4. As the system weakens, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Vellore, and Ranipet, while light to moderate rain may occur in other parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, also warned of isolated thunderstorms and lightning.
5. Gale winds of 60–70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, are expected along the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. Squally winds up to 75 kmph are likely over adjoining coastal districts.
6. South coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may see widespread light to moderate rain, with pockets of heavy rainfall. North coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to receive heavy showers at isolated places on Monday. Parts of South Odisha may also experience heavy rain.
7. In Sri Lanka, the death toll from floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 334, with nearly 400 people missing and 1.3 million affected, the country’s disaster agency said.
8. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka confirmed the evacuation of the final group of stranded Indian passengers from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport under Operation Sagar Bandhu. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said another Indian Air Force aircraft carrying relief supplies landed in Colombo on Sunday.

Are schools closed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today?

Schools and colleges were shut in several districts earlier due to the cyclone. As of December 1, there is no official confirmation on closures for today. Students are advised to check with their respective institutions for updates.

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More

Read More