Cyclone Ditwah highlights: Cyclonic storms closes in towards TN coast, Chennai-Colombo flights disrupted

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Cuddalore District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar said the district has stepped up preparedness as cyclone Ditwah approaches.

"In view of the cyclone Ditwah, IMD has issued a very heavy rainfall warning for Cuddalore district. The district administration has undertaken various preparedness measures. We hve identified 22 very high-vulnerability locations and 39 high-vulnerability locations where water usually stagnates," he told ANI.

He said men and equipment, especially motors, have been pre-positioned to tackle waterlogging. The district has also readied 233 relief centres that can accommodate around 1.5 lakh people and provide food and water.

"All government hospitals in Cuddalore have backup power, essential medicines and adequate staff. Doctors are working round the clock. We have also identified pregnant mothers expected to deliver in the next two weeks. A 24/7 control room is functioning at the collectorate. The helpline number is 1077, and the public can call for any grievance," the collector added.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Sri Lanka on Friday faced one of its worst recent disasters as Cyclone Ditwah triggered floods and landslides, leaving more than 80 people dead and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, according to PTI.

Sri Lankan authorities warned of an “unprecedented disaster situation” in the Western Province as water levels continued to rise in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers.

Officials said Colombo and Gampaha face severe risk and urged residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Sri Lankan troops on Friday rushed to rescue hundreds of people stranded by rapidly rising floodwaters, as the toll from the severe weather reached 69, according to an AFP report

Authorities said another 34 people remain missing as rescue operations continue across the worst-hit regions.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Pamban experienced strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas on Thursday as Cyclone Ditwah tracked north-northwest across Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal.

The Chennai Meteorological Department also issued an alert, noting that the storm, positioned over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, has been moving north-northwest at 10 kmph over the last six hours.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Cyclone Ditwah has disrupted flights between Chennai and Sri Lanka, with carriers such as IndiGo and SriLankan Airlines reporting delays, diversions and cancellations, according to a report by Times of India

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the coastal stretches of South Andhra Pradesh have been placed under cyclone watch as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah tracks north-northwest across Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal.

The system is expected to pass close to the coast early on November 30.

Authorities have urged people to remain indoors, stay away from beaches, follow official updates and avoid circulating unverified information.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Staying alert and cautious, officials said, remains critical for safety.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Cyclone Ditwah continued to edge toward the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday, with the weather office warning of heavy rainfall as the state assessed its preparedness for a second major weather system this month.

According to the forecast, southern districts and the Cauvery delta are likely to receive heavy rain between November 29 and 30.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam have announced a holiday for all schools and colleges on Saturday (November 29, 2025) due to Cyclone Ditwah, according to several reports.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: India has rushed flood relief to Sri Lanka as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies, the Indian High Commission said on Friday.

The assistance includes 4.5 tonnes of dry rations, 2 tonnes of fresh food and additional survival supplies, delivered through INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

The mission said India stands with Sri Lanka and will continue support as needed.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and the indigenously built stealth frigate, INS Udaygiri, took part in the Sri Lanka Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, held from November 27 to 29 as part of the force’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said both vessels are representing the Indian Navy at the multilateral event in Colombo, which has brought together warships, delegations, and observers from several nations.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: The storm is forecast to maintain its north-northwestward path and approach the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts, by the early hours of November 30, 2025.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Air force footage showed several families being lifted to safety from rooftops, along with a man who had climbed onto a coconut tree to escape the rising waters.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: The Met department said in a post on X, "It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards across Sri Lanka coast & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning of 30th November."

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Friday said the health department has directed all government hospitals to keep medical teams available round the clock.

This is as the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall for November 29 and 30 across the southern and delta districts ahead of Cyclone Ditwah’s approach in the Bay of Bengal.

The cyclone is expected to reach the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning on November 30.

Subramanian said that if more than two fever-related cases are reported in any locality, the department has been instructed to set up special medical camps in that area.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: "Augmenting Afghanistan’s healthcare efforts.

India has delivered 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul to cater to urgent medical needs.

India’s unwavering support to the Afghan people continues," Jaiswal shared on X.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: “Operation Sagar Bandhu commences. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway,” S Jaishankar wrote on X.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: "We are fully prepared to face the cyclone. IMD has given a warning for heavy rain in Delta districts and southern areas on November 29-30. I have held a meeting with the Collectors of those districts and instructed them to be on alert. Relief camps will be set up in the areas to be affected by the cyclone," the Chief Minister said.

"16 #SDRF teams and 12 #NDRF teams have been deployed to districts where heavy rainfall is likely to occur.

All departments must coordinate and act with proper planning, which the District Collectors should ensure! I request the general public to follow the warnings from the Meteorological Department, avoid going out unnecessarily, and stay in safe places," Stalin wrote on X

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: “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,” PM Narendra Modi wrote on X.

“In solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour, India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves”.

“Guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, India continues to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need," he added.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: Indian officials on Friday confirmed that the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will be deployed to support Sri Lanka’s flood rescue operations.

The indigenously built carrier had docked in Colombo from November 25 to 26 ahead of the International Fleet Review 2025, scheduled for November 30, according to the Sri Lankan Navy.

Defence Ministry officials said Sri Lanka formally requested the use of Vikrant’s aircraft to assist ongoing rescue and relief efforts as Cyclone Ditwah triggered severe weather and flooding after making landfall near the eastern Trincomalee region.

Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: “Concerned to learn that five international flights have been diverted from Colombo to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport because of Cyclone Ditwah disturbing weather patterns over Sri Lanka,” Shashi Tharoor wrote on X.

“The airlines are attempting to accommodate passengers in the city, but with the ongoing Navy week celebrations, Hotel rooms are scarce. Calling on all small and medium Hotels in my consistency to rise to the occasion and make space available for the stranded passengers".

“Glad to hear the Indian government is deploying helicopters from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, currently docked in Colombo, to support rescue and relief operations in the face of Cyclone Ditwah. The people of India stand with those of Sri Lanka at this time of peril,” Tharoor added.

The State Disaster Response Team of Tamil Nadu was seen arriving in Thanjavur ahead of Cyclone Ditwah, assuring that all precautions are in place, PTI reported.

Cyclone Ditwah is expected to make landfall on November 30. The IMD has issued alerts for heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning across Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and Andhra Pradesh.

As per IMD bulletin released on November 28, these were the weather warning where cyclone Ditwah is likely to impact:

• Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at many places over south coastal Tamil Nadu on 28th, over coastal Tamil Nadu on 29th and over north coastal Tamil Nadu & Puducherry on 30th November.
• Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Light to moderate rainfall at most places of Yanam and Rayalaseema, with heavy to very rainfall at isolated places on 29th November.
• Kerala & Mahe: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places likely during 28th and 29th November.
• Telangana: Light to moderate rainfall at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places likely on 30th November.

Amid the death of at least 46 people, the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka on Friday declared the temporary closure of international schools across the country. “Considering the prevailing adverse weather, all international schools operating in the country are advised to temporarily close with immediate effect,” a press release said.

Managing Director of Disaster Management Authority, Prakhar Jain, said that the cyclone has moved at a speed of 8 km per hour and will likely reach by November 30. "It is likely to reach the Southwest Bay of Bengal, near the North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra coastal areas, by the day after tomorrow," he said.

Due to its impact, heavy rains are expected in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema tomorrow and the day after," Jain added.