Cyclone Ditwah
Cyclone Ditwah LIVE: Tamil Nadu Hit By Heavy Rain, Flights Cancelled As Storm Closes In
Cyclone Ditwah is inching closer to the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast and is expected to make landfall early on November 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. The storm continues to intensify slightly as it moves north-northwest over the Southwest Bay of Bengal.
Here are the top developments:
Key Events
- 56 mins ago: 35 flights to and from Chennai cancelled today; 47 flights for Sunday cancelled
- 1 hr 1 min ago: What precautionary measures are underway?
- 49 mins ago: Latest update on the storm’s position and projected path
- 21 mins ago: District-level teams in Tamil Nadu put on alert; preparations ramped up
- 34 mins ago: Air India issues advisory ahead of landfall
- 8 mins ago: Weather deteriorates in Nagapattinam; heavy rain video surfaces
- 18 mins ago: India sends urgent humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka
- 30 mins ago: Sri Lanka death toll climbs to 153
- 40 mins ago: Puducherry on red alert, all departments on standby
- 46 mins ago: Cyclone to move within 60 km of the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline tonight
- 7 mins ago: Rameshwaram lashed by heavy rain; trees uprooted in Nagapattinam
- 26 mins ago: IMD issues red alert in 3 Tamil Nadu districts, orange alert in 7
- 46 mins ago: Tourists advised to avoid Dhanushkodi on Pamban Island
- 22 mins ago: Andhra Pradesh braces for four days of heavy rain
- 26 mins ago: 28 NDRF and SDRF teams deployed, says Tamil Nadu minister
- 33 mins ago: IMD issues latest landfall update
- 58 mins ago: Cloud bands moving into coastal districts, says Tamil Nadu minister
- 24 mins ago: 6,000 relief camps set up across Tamil Nadu
- 59 mins ago: Heavy rainfall expected in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Kerala, says IMD
- 5 mins ago: India opens emergency help desk in Sri Lanka for Indian nationals
- 27 mins ago: 54 Chennai flights cancelled; schools shut across Tamil Nadu
- 35 mins ago: Sri Lanka declares state of emergency
- 22 mins ago: IAF carries out Operation Sagar Bandhu for Sri Lanka
- 40 mins ago: Where is Cyclone Ditwah now?
Cyclone Ditwah LIVE: Storm Exits Sri Lanka, Heads Toward India
Cyclone Ditwah exited Sri Lanka on Saturday afternoon after triggering widespread floods and landslides. At least 153 people have been killed, and 191 remain missing, Reuters reported. More than 123 deaths were initially confirmed, with numbers continuing to rise.
The IMD says the cyclone is gaining strength and will continue moving towards the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh stretch. It is expected to reach the Indian coastline early Sunday morning.
Nov 29, 2025 – 9:40 PM IST
35 Flights Cancelled Today, 47 Cancelled for Sunday in Chennai
A total of 36 flights operating to and from Chennai were cancelled on Saturday. For Sunday, 47 flights have been cancelled — 36 domestic and 11 international — as the city braces for worsening weather.
Nov 29, 2025 – 9:35 PM IST
What Precautionary Measures Are Being Taken?
Deputy Commandant Kapil K told PTI that NDRF teams have been deployed across coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Teams are equipped with boats, life jackets, lifebuoys and rope systems.
Specially trained dog squads are positioned in Pudukkottai and Puducherry to trace people trapped in collapsed structures. Ten additional teams are being moved — five airlifted from Vadodara for Greater Chennai and five from Pune for Villupuram — to strengthen rescue readiness.
Nov 29, 2025 – 8:47 PM IST
Where Is the Cyclone Right Now?
The storm was last centered:
- 110 km southeast of Vedaranyam
- 150 km southeast of Karaikal
- 250 km south-southeast of Puducherry
- 350 km south of Chennai
IMD says the cyclone will continue moving north-northwest and close in on the coast by early November 30.
Nov 29, 2025 – 8:15 PM IST
Tamil Nadu, AP Departments on Alert
District staff across Andhra Pradesh have been placed on alert, Joint Collector Mogili Venkateswarlu said. While Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have seen severe impact, Nellore district recorded moderate rain through the day.
All departments have been instructed to take preventive measures ahead of landfall.
Nov 29, 2025 – 8:02 PM IST
Air India Issues Advisory
Air India warned passengers that flights to and from Chennai and several southern cities may face disruptions due to heavy rain and strong winds as Cyclone Ditwah approaches.
Nov 29, 2025 – 7:28 PM IST
Weather Worsens in Nagapattinam
As Cyclone Ditwah nears India, conditions in Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam district, have deteriorated. Heavy rainfall has damaged around 9,000 acres of salt pans, ANI reported. The storm will make landfall on Sunday.
Nov 29, 2025 – 7:18 PM IST
India Sends Emergency Aid to Sri Lanka
India has extended urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Sri Lanka, where the death toll has reached 153. Under the operation, India has dispatched 4.5 tonnes of dry rations, 2 tonnes of fresh rations, and other relief essentials via INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri.
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