 "The IMD says Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall between north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh between November 29 and November 30. PTI")
Cyclone Ditwah has torn through Sri Lanka, leaving more than 120 people dead and around 130 still missing, AFP reported, after relentless rains unleashed the country’s worst flooding in over twenty years.
As Sri Lanka struggles with massive destruction, the same cyclone system is now pushing towards India’s southern coastline. Tamil Nadu and nearby states have been placed on high alert, with authorities warning of intense rainfall, strong winds and the likelihood of urban flooding in the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone is moving north–northwest over the Bay of Bengal and is currently about 220 km away from Karaikal, inching closer to the north Tamil Nadu–south Andhra Pradesh stretch. The storm is forecast to make landfall in the early hours of November 30, according to the IMD.
So, what makes Cyclone Ditwah so deadly? How bad could it get when it reaches India’s shores? And how are authorities preparing for the worst?
Here’s a closer look.
How hard could Cyclone Ditwah hit Indian coasts?
The IMD says Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall between north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh between November 29 and November 30. As it moves closer, both wind speeds and rainfall are set to intensify.
South coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Rayalaseema may see isolated “extremely heavy” rain on Sunday, according to the IMD. Gale winds of 70–80 kmph, with gusts touching 90 kmph, are expected along the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stretch. Sea conditions will also stay very rough, posing serious risks for fishermen and coastal communities.
The IMD also noted that “isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall [is] 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.”
In Tamil Nadu, districts such as Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, along with Puducherry, are now under a red alert. Several others are on orange alert, including Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Kallakurichi, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet, as well as the Karaikal region.
Neighbouring states are also bracing for impact. Kerala is set to receive heavy rain today, while Karnataka and Telangana may see intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning today and tomorrow, the IMD added.
How is Tamil Nadu preparing?
A red alert is already in place for vulnerable southern and delta districts. Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin has been personally supervising the state’s preparations, holding continuous reviews with district collectors and senior officials.
The severe weather has started affecting travel. At least 54 flights scheduled for November 29 at Chennai International Airport have been cancelled.
IndiGo has suspended several flights to and from Jaffna, Puducherry, Tuticorin and Tiruchirappalli on the same day, advising passengers to monitor flight updates due to “prevailing cyclonic conditions.” The airline has said that refunds and alternate arrangements will be provided.
Railways are also taking precautions. Southern Railway cancelled the Rameswaram–Okha Express on Friday night after winds on the Pamban Bridge touched 58 kmph. For the next two days, the starting point of 11 trains in the Rameswaram–Chennai sector has been shifted to Mandapam, Ramanathapuram and Ucchippuli.
On the ground, the state health department has deployed 24/7 medical teams across government hospitals and ensured backup power. Relief centres equipped with food, water and essential supplies have been activated. Officials have been instructed to drain water quickly, secure power lines and respond swiftly to local emergencies.
District administrations have urged residents in coastal and flood-prone areas to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Fishermen have been repeatedly warned against venturing into the sea.
As a precaution, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a statewide holiday for all schools on Saturday. Pondicherry University has also postponed Saturday’s exams and declared a holiday for classes, PTI reported.
What made Cyclone Ditwah so deadly in Sri Lanka?
Cyclone Ditwah began as a low-pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal before rapidly strengthening into a full cyclonic storm.
As it swept across Sri Lanka, relentless rain hammered the island, especially the central and eastern highlands of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. Some regions received over 300 mm of rain in just 24 hours, triggering flash floods and massive mudslides.
“The weather system was moving away from the island towards neighbouring India, but it has already left massive destruction,” the Disaster Management Centre said.
Floodwaters and landslides wiped out homes, blocked highways, and snapped power and communication lines. Entire towns were submerged, forcing thousands to flee to safer ground. The irrigation department also issued a high-risk flood alert for low-lying areas along the Maha Oya Basin.
Three key bridges, Moragahakanda Main Bridge, Elahera Bridge and Kumara Ella Bridge, were washed away, cutting off crucial routes that connect Matale, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Uva. These links are vital for moving food, supplies and rescue teams, leaving many communities stranded.
Officials say the severity of the weather has made it extremely difficult to reach affected areas or carry out proper assessments.
So far, at least 123 people have died, around 130 are still missing, and nearly 44,000 residents from over 12,000 families have been displaced and moved to shelters.
For Sri Lanka, the scale of destruction makes Ditwah one of the most devastating natural disasters in nearly two decades.
Operation Sagar Bandhu: India rushes to help Sri Lanka
India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka as the island struggles to cope with the disaster. The first batch of relief supplies was delivered after the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri transported essential materials to Colombo.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said an IAF aircraft has also brought in a fresh tranche of aid. “#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items lands in Colombo,” he posted on X.
He earlier confirmed that INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri had handed over relief supplies and that “further steps are underway.”
An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft has additionally reached Colombo with 80 NDRF personnel, including four women and four sniffer dogs, along with rescue gear and disaster-relief equipment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences for the lives lost in Sri Lanka. “My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah… India stands in solidarity with its closest maritime neighbour,” he said in a post on X.
He added that India has already dispatched urgent relief and HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu and assured that more assistance will follow as the situation develops.
With input from agencies