Cyclone Ditvaah: Flights canceled, schools closed in Tamil Nadu as the storm approaches Indian shores. india news

Last updated:November 29, 2025, 08:55 IST

The weather office has predicted heavy rain in the southern and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu between November 29 and 30.

Cyclone Ditvah: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Cyclone ‘Ditvah’, which is currently hovering near Sri Lanka and southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify slightly and move towards northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast by early November 30, causing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, gusty winds and risk of urban flooding in many southern states.

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

IMD issues red, orange alert

The weather office has predicted heavy rain in the southern and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu between November 29 and 30. “Heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam and Rayalaseema during November 29-December 1, while extremely heavy rainfall over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Coastal Rayalaseema on November 30,” the IMD said.

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

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

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

According to IMD, Kerala is also expected to receive heavy rain today, while Karnataka and Telangana are likely to receive heavy rain with thunder and lightning today and tomorrow.

As rains continue due to Cyclone Ditvaah, three reservoirs in Kerala’s Idukki district are on red alert due to rising water levels, while Thrissur and Kozhikode reservoirs are on orange alert.

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

Residents of alert districts, especially low-lying and coastal areas, have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Fishermen have been repeatedly warned not to venture into the sea.

Trains, flights affected

Adverse weather conditions have affected flight operations at the Chennai International Airport, leading to the cancellation of several flights scheduled for November 29.

In view of the adverse weather conditions, IndiGo has canceled several flights operating from Jaffna, Puducherry, Tuticorin and Tiruchirappalli on November 29. In a post on Twitter, 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 Ditvaah, there may be disruption to flights to and from #Jaffna, #Pondicherry, #Tuticorin and #Trichy,” it said.

Train services have also been affected. “Southern Railway has announced cancellation, partial cancellation and short termination for selected services on 28th and 29th November 2025,” Southern Railways said in a post on Twitter.

Schools closed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

The Tamil Nadu government has declared holiday in all schools across the state on Saturday as a precautionary measure against the approaching cyclone Ditvaah.

“The Meteorological Department has said that there will be heavy rainfall over the coastal districts and adjoining districts on Saturday (today). Therefore, all schools across Tamil Nadu will remain closed on Saturday (today). No special classes should be conducted in schools,” a school education department press release said.

Pondicherry Central University has announced that all examinations scheduled for Saturday have been postponed and declared a holiday for all classes in the university due to the cyclone, news agency PTI reported.

A release from the university registrar on Friday night said examinations were postponed and classes were also canceled due to a communication received from the Coast Guard about the cyclone and heavy rains.

The release said that the revised date of examinations will be announced in time.

Ditwah wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka grappled with one of its worst disasters on Friday when Cyclonic Storm Ditvaha made landfall, causing floods and landslides that killed more than 80 people.

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.

He said both Colombo and the next most populous district, Gampaha, were in grave danger, prompting authorities to urge residents of sensitive areas to evacuate.

According to news portal NewsFirst.lk, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) late on Friday confirmed that more than 80 people have died in the last three days, while 34 are missing, as rescue operations intensified.

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

Cyclone Ditvah caused torrential rains that completely or partially destroyed hundreds of houses, leaving thousands of people homeless, causing widespread flooding, landslides in central hilly areas and major disruptions in other parts, leaving many areas inaccessible.

Central Matale district recorded the highest rainfall of 540 mm in the 24 hours ending 6 am Thursday, officials said.

India launched aid operation under Operation Sagar Bandhu

India launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ to assist Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis, and the first tranche of relief material was handed over after Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udayagiri delivered the consignment to the island nation.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said an IAF aircraft airlifted 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid as a tranche of relief material to Colombo as the cyclone continues to batter the island nation.

“#Operation Sagarbandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J aircraft lands in Colombo carrying approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and ready-to-eat foods,” he said in a post on Twitter.

Before this he announced the start of the operation. In a post on Twitter, Jaishankar said INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri have handed over relief material to Colombo, and further steps are being taken.

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

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

He further said that India has sent immediate relief material and critical HADR assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu, and assured that additional assistance and support will be provided as the situation evolves.

(with inputs from agencies)

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