Cyclone Ditwah: Flights Cancelled, Schools Shut In Tamil Nadu As Storm Approaches Indian Coasts

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that cyclone ‘Ditwah’, currently hovering close to Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify slightly and move towards the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast by early November 30, triggering heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and the risk of urban flooding across multiple southern states.

The name, ‘Ditwah’, referring to a lagoon, was suggested by Yemen. It is likely named after Detwah Lagoon, a large, saline lagoon on the northwest coast of the island of Socotra in Yemen.

IMD Issues Red, Orange Alerts
The weather office forecast heavy rains in the southern and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu, between November 29 and 30. The IMD said 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.”

As per IMD’s latest update, the cyclonic storm “moved north-northwestwards with the speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 11:30 pm on Friday over the same region, near latitude 9.0°N and longitude 80.8°E, about 70 km northwest of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 170 km northwest of Batticaloa (Sri Lanka), 240km south-southeast of Karaikal (India), 350 km south-southeast of Puducherry(India) and 450 km south of Chennai (India).”

Puducherry, along with Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts, are on red alert today.

Several other Tamil Nadu districts—including Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet—along with the Karaikal region, are under an orange alert.

Kerala is also expected to witness heavy rainfall today, while Karnataka and Telangana are expected to brace for intense downpours today and tomorrow, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, according to the IMD.

As rains due to cyclone Ditwah continue, three reservoirs of Idukki district of Kerala are on red alert due to rising water level, while the Thrissur and Kozhikode reservoirs remain on orange alert.

In Andhra Pradesh, the districts of Tirupati, Chittoor, Bapatla, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore are under an IMD orange alert for heavy rain.

Residents in the alerted districts, especially those in low-lying and coastal areas, have been advised to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Fishermen have been repeatedly warned not to venture into the sea.

Trains, Flights Impacted
The adverse weather conditions have affected flight operations at Chennai International Airport due to which several flights scheduled for 29 November have been cancelled.

In view of the adverse weather conditions, IndiGo has cancelled several flights operating to and from Jaffna, Puducherry, Tuticorin, and Tiruchirappalli on November 29. In a post on X, IndiGo appealed to passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport.

“Due to the prevailing cyclonic conditions and heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Ditwah, flights to and from #Jaffna, #Pondicherry, #Tuticorin, and #Trichy may experience disruptions,” it said.

Train services have also been impacted. Southern Railway in a post on X said, “Southern Railway has announced cancellations, partial cancellations and short terminations for selected services on 28 and 29 November 2025.”

Schools Shut In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
In a preemptive move against the approaching Cyclone Ditwah, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for all schools across the state on Saturday.

The press release from the School Education Department stated, “The Meteorological Department has said that there will be heavy rain in the coastal districts and adjoining districts on Saturday (today). Therefore, all schools across Tamil Nadu will be closed on Saturday (today). No special classes should be held in schools.”

The Pondicherry Central University has announced that all exams scheduled to be held on Saturday have been postponed and a holiday was declared for all classes at the university because of the cyclone.

A release from the Registrar of the University on Friday night said that the postponement of examinations and also cancellation of classes were due to a communication received from the Coast Guard about the cyclone and the heavy rains.

A revised date of the examinations would be announced in course of time, the release said.

Ditwah Wreaks Havoc In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka on Friday grappled with one of its worst disasters as cyclonic storm Ditwah wreaked havoc, causing floods and landslides that claimed more than 80 lives.

Sri Lankan authorities warned of an “unprecedented disaster situation” in the Western Province from Friday night due to rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers.

Both Colombo and the next most populous district of Gampaha are under severe threat, prompting officials to urge residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate, they said.

Late on Friday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed more than 80 people have died, while 34 remain missing in the past three days, as rescue operations intensify, according to news portal NewsFirst.lk.

The DMC said as many as 1,48,603 individuals from 44,192 families were suffering due to widespread flooding, while 5,024 families (approximately 14,000 people) had taken shelter in 195 emergency centres.

Scores of houses were destroyed completely or partially, leaving thousands homeless as Cyclone Ditwah unleashed torrential rainfall, triggering extensive flooding, landslides in central hill regions and major disruptions in other parts that have left several areas inaccessible.

The central Matale district recorded the highest rainfall in the 24 hours ending 6 am Thursday, receiving 540 mm, authorities said.

India Rushes Aid Under Op Sagar Bandhu
India launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to assist Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis, and the first tranche of relief materials was handed over after the consignments were transported by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri to the island nation.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that an IAF aircraft delivered 12 tons of humanitarian aid as tranche of relief materials to Colombo as the cylonic storm continues to batter the island nation.

“#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 said in a post on X.

Earlier, he announced the commencement of the Operation. In a post on X, Jaishankar said that INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri have handed over relief material at Colombo, adding that further steps are underway.

Earlier on Friday, PM Modi expressed condolences to the people of Sri Lanka over the loss of lives due to Cyclone Ditwah and said India stands in solidarity with its “closest maritime neighbour” during the crisis.

“My heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to Cyclone Ditwah. I pray for the safety, comfort and swift recovery of all affected families,” he said in a post on X.

He further said that India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu, and assured that additional aid and assistance would be provided as the situation evolves.