Where is the cyclone currently?

The system is currently over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 380 km south of Chennai, and is expected to move closer to the coast through Sunday.

54 flights were cancelled at Chennai Airport as Cyclone Ditwah moves toward the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, with authorities citing IMD’s forecast of extremely heavy rain and strong winds. #PassengerAdvisory | Kindly take note of the list of ATR flight cancellations by @IndiGo6E at Chennai International Airport on 29.11.2025 due to adverse weather conditions. Passengers are requested to check with the concerned airlines for further updates. pic.twitter.com/V2RwAh3GFf — Chennai (MAA) Airport (@aaichnairport) November 28, 2025

Schools and colleges shut

The Tamil Nadu School Education Department declared a holiday for all schools and educational institutions across the state on Saturday. Even Pondicherry Central University postponed all the exams slated for 29 November amid IMD's red alert for heavy rains.

Devastation in Sri Lanka

The cyclone has already caused major devastation in Sri Lanka, where 153 people have died and around 130 remain missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

How were railway operations disrupted?

Railway operations were hit, with trains bound for Rameswaram halted at Mandapam; buses arranged to ferry stranded passengers. 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.” ⚠ Change in Pattern of Train Services due to Cyclone Ditwah 2025! Southern Railway has announced cancellations, partial cancellations and short terminations for selected services on 28 and 29 November 2025. Passengers are requested to check the updated information through the… — Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) November 28, 2025

Which Tamil Nadu districts are affected?

Chennai and adjoining districts have been warned of intense rainfall, while a red alert suggesting extremely heavy rain is expected in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai and delta districts.

Which Andhra Pradesh districts are affected?

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned of heavy rain across several southern districts, particularly isolated areas in Tirupati and Chittoor districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday. Parts of Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Annamayya districts are also expected to see significant showers. According to the IMD, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) and Rayalaseema are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on November 30.

How many NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed

NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across 14 districts, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, as part of large-scale disaster preparedness. Fishermen have been barred from venturing into the sea, and over 3,500 boat operators in Thanjavur and nearby coastal regions have secured their vessels.

Operation Sagar Bandhu

India has launched humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, sending nearly 12 tonnes of relief supplies and deploying an 80-member NDRF contingent for rescue and relief work.

When will it make a landfall?

The deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall on 30 November early morning in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Cyclone Ditwah nears Tamil Nadu after Sri Lanka toll hits 153, disrupting flights and shutting schools

Cyclone Ditwah Today Update: According to the IMD, Ditwah is expected to reach the Southwest Bay of Bengal, positioned near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday morning.

A mechanised fishing boat is anchored on a beach amid gusty winds caused by the incoming Cyclone Ditwah, in Rameswaram, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (PTI Photo)

A mechanised fishing boat is anchored on a beach amid gusty winds caused by the incoming Cyclone Ditwah, in Rameswaram (PTI Photo)

Cyclone Ditwah Update: Cyclone Ditwah exited Sri Lanka on Saturday afternoon after unleashing severe devastation, leaving at least 153 people dead and 191 missing amid widespread floods and landslides, news agency Reuters reported. As the storm moved back over the sea, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that it may see a slight intensification while continuing its north-northwestward track.

According to the IMD, Ditwah is expected to reach the Southwest Bay of Bengal, positioned near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday morning. The storm is currently moving northwards at about 10 kmph over the past six hours.

Heavy rainfall is forecast across the southern and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu between November 29 and 30. The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall across parts of Andhra Pradesh from November 30 to December 3 under the influence of the cyclonic system.

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IMD issues red alert to three districts, orange alert to seven districts for heavy rain in Tamil Nadu

The name ‘Ditwah’, meaning a lagoon, was suggested by Yemen and is likely derived from Detwah Lagoon on the northwest coast of Socotra.

Here is all you need to know about the Ditwah cyclone and it’s impact:

01
Where is the cyclone currently?
The system is currently over the southwest Bay of Bengal, about 380 km south of Chennai, and is expected to move closer to the coast through Sunday.
02
Flights cancelled
54 flights were cancelled at Chennai Airport as Cyclone Ditwah moves toward the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, with authorities citing IMD’s forecast of extremely heavy rain and strong winds.

#PassengerAdvisory | Kindly take note of the list of ATR flight cancellations by @IndiGo6E at Chennai International Airport on 29.11.2025 due to adverse weather conditions. Passengers are requested to check with the concerned airlines for further updates. pic.twitter.com/V2RwAh3GFf

— Chennai (MAA) Airport (@aaichnairport) November 28, 2025
03
Schools and colleges shut

The Tamil Nadu School Education Department declared a holiday for all schools and educational institutions across the state on Saturday. Even Pondicherry Central University postponed all the exams slated for 29 November amid IMD's red alert for heavy rains.
04
Devastation in Sri Lanka
The cyclone has already caused major devastation in Sri Lanka, where 153 people have died and around 130 remain missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre.
05
How were railway operations disrupted?
Railway operations were hit, with trains bound for Rameswaram halted at Mandapam; buses arranged to ferry stranded passengers.

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.”

⚠ Change in Pattern of Train Services due to Cyclone Ditwah 2025!

Southern Railway has announced cancellations, partial cancellations and short terminations for selected services on 28 and 29 November 2025.

Passengers are requested to check the updated information through the…

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) November 28, 2025
06
Which Tamil Nadu districts are affected?
Chennai and adjoining districts have been warned of intense rainfall, while a red alert suggesting extremely heavy rain is expected in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai and delta districts.
07
Which Andhra Pradesh districts are affected?
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned of heavy rain across several southern districts, particularly isolated areas in Tirupati and Chittoor districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Parts of Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Annamayya districts are also expected to see significant showers. According to the IMD, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) and Rayalaseema are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on November 30.
08
How many NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed
NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across 14 districts, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, as part of large-scale disaster preparedness.

Fishermen have been barred from venturing into the sea, and over 3,500 boat operators in Thanjavur and nearby coastal regions have secured their vessels.
09
Operation Sagar Bandhu
India has launched humanitarian support to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, sending nearly 12 tonnes of relief supplies and deploying an 80-member NDRF contingent for rescue and relief work.
10
When will it make a landfall?
The deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall on 30 November early morning in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh coasts.