Cyclone Ditwah intensified on 29 November 2025 over the southwest Bay of Bengal, 220 km SSE of Karaikal and 430 km south of Chennai, heading north-northwest for landfall near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early 30 November.
The powerful cyclone has already claimed over 120 lives in Sri Lanka, displacing thousands, prompting India to dispatch relief and emergency assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
In Chennai, 54 flights were cancelled, red alerts were issued across delta districts, and schools were shut in 12 regions. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin deployed 16 SDRF and 12 NDRF teams, while the IMD forecast extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm.
Officials urged residents to avoid all non-essential travel, even as they praised ongoing inter-agency coordination amid escalating storm impacts.
CM Stalin’s Meeting With District Collectors
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened a special meeting with district collectors and top officials to strengthen preparedness ahead of Cyclone Ditwah’s expected landfall.
He emphasised round-the-clock monitoring, quick evacuation plans, and coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Stalin underlined the need for accessible shelters and timely communication to ensure public safety during the cyclone’s impact. The meeting reinforced government commitment to proactive disaster management across vulnerable districts.
School and College Closures
Authorities declared holidays in multiple districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to ensure the safety of students during the cyclone.
Schools and colleges remained closed on 29 November in red-alert zones such as Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Puducherry, Karaikal, Villupuram, Thanjavur, and Tiruchi.
Many institutions also postponed exams, including Pondicherry Central University, which issued a formal notice cancelling all Saturday exams due to heavy rains and cyclone warnings.
Airport Disruptions and Advisory
Chennai Airport cancelled 54 flights between 29 and 30 November, affecting regional routes such as Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Jaffna.
Officials cited the cyclone’s strong winds and heavy rainfall as risks to flight operations and advised passengers to avoid last-minute airport visits.
The airport implemented special arrangements to enhance safety, including standby medical teams and power backup systems to ensure uninterrupted essential services.
Cyclone Ditwah Causes Havoc in Srilanka
Over 120 people have been killed in cyclone Ditwah with thousands displaced. Heavy flooding worsened on Saturday in low-lying areas along the Kelani River, prompting authorities to evacuate residents to safety.
The river, which flows into the Indian Ocean near Colombo, had overflowed on Friday evening, forcing hundreds to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Ditwah formed 27 November from a depression near Sri Lanka’s Pottuvil, crossing its east coast with 13 kmph speed, causing floods, landslides, and 1,48,603 affected from 44,192 families; 14,000 sheltered in 195 centres.
Now a cyclonic storm with gale winds 60-70 kmph gusting 80, it follows rare Cyclone Senyar, prompting IMD upgrades to red alerts for Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai. PM Modi reaffirmed aid to neighbour as India readies shelters post-Sri Lanka’s request.
India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu
In response to Cyclone Ditwah’s devastation in Sri Lanka, the Indian government swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, dispatching the C-130 J carrier and relief material to assist the affected population.
This humanitarian mission underscores India’s commitment to regional cooperation and disaster relief, providing essential aid as Sri Lanka grapples with widespread floods and casualties.
The operation also demonstrates India’s preparedness to support neighbouring countries during natural calamities, highlighting diplomatic and humanitarian solidarity.
Precautions and Disruptions in Tamil Nadu
Red alerts cover Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Puducherry for extreme rain; orange for Chennai, deltas. Holidays declared fully in Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Puducherry, Karaikal; schools only in Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruchi.
Chennai Airport axed 54 ATR flights to Madurai, Trichy, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaffna; health teams standby with power backups. Stalin reviewed ops, ministers deployed; IMD’s bulletin notes rough seas till 30 November.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian applauds proactive evacuations and neighbourly aid amid Cyclone Ditwah, urging communities to embody kindness by aiding vulnerable neighbours and following alerts. Empathy drives harmony in crises, turning challenges into unity through shared relief and resilient rebuilding.
