Cyclone Ditwah tracker: Latest path, landfall timing and areas likely to receive heavy rain

India is on high alert as Cyclone Ditwah continues to move north–northwest over the southwest Bay of Bengal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is expected to come close to the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–South Andhra Pradesh coast by early November 30.

The IMD has warned that the system may bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible urban flooding across several southern states. The alert comes after the cyclone caused major destruction in Sri Lanka, where 123 people have died, and many more are missing.

After moving away from Sri Lanka, the storm has continued to grow stronger. In its alert posted on X, the IMD advised residents to stay indoors during severe weather and follow all safety instructions issued by the authorities. People have also been requested to avoid unnecessary travel as the cyclone approaches the coast.

How is Tamil Nadu preparing?

Tamil Nadu has taken widespread precautionary steps to handle the cyclone’s possible impact. Rain linked to the cyclone has already affected several coastal and delta districts. Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam have received the heaviest rainfall so far, and life in Rameswaram was affected for the second consecutive day due to continuous rain and strong winds. A few trees were uprooted in Nagapattinam, and many farmers in the Cauvery delta reported that nearly one lakh acres of paddy fields were submerged. In Chennai, authorities are preparing to release surplus water from major reservoirs to prevent flooding.

State Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said the exact landfall point of the cyclone is still uncertain, especially regarding whether it might hit near Chennai. However, he assured that the government is fully prepared. Twenty-eight teams from the SDRF and NDRF are already on standby, and more teams may be brought in if required. Around six thousand relief camps have been set up across the state, and the Air Force and Coast Guard have also been placed on alert.

In Cuddalore district, the administration has arranged food and shelter for more than one lakh people. Officials have identified 239 vulnerable areas and placed 925 pregnant women under medical supervision to ensure their safety. Teams are ready to clear fallen trees and remove water from low-lying areas once the rain intensifies. NDRF teams have been deployed in several coastal districts, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Pudukkottai.

How is commute affected?

Flight operations across southern districts have been disrupted, and 54 flights have already been cancelled. Small aircraft services at airports in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Thoothukudi will remain suspended from Sunday morning. Passengers travelling by air have been advised to check the status of their flights and make any necessary changes before heading to the airport.

Train services have also been adjusted. Southern Railway announced schedule changes for December, and noted that wind speeds at the Pamban Bridge have reduced to within the safe limit. Because of this improvement, train services to Rameswaram are expected to resume soon. Meanwhile, schools in Villupuram district have been closed as a precaution due to the risk of heavy rainfall, flooding and disruptions to power and transportation.

Agriculture in the delta region has taken a hit. Minister R Ramachandran said that heavy rain has damaged large areas of paddy crops. He explained that the government will assess the losses once the water drains, which is expected to happen within two days, and promised that compensation will be given to all affected farmers.

Impact on Andhra Pradesh

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across many parts of Andhra Pradesh from November 30 to December 3 due to the influence of Cyclone Ditwah. Districts such as Tirupati, Chittoor, Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Annamayya are expected to receive intense rain. Squally winds reaching up to 60 kmph, and possibly gale-force winds up to 70 kmph on November 30, have also been predicted. Fishermen have been strictly advised to stay away from the sea.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said residents in vulnerable areas should remain indoors and avoid travel during periods of heavy rainfall. Officials have also warned that strong winds may uproot trees, damage weak structures and harm standing crops, including vegetables and horticulture that are close to harvest. In addition, thunderstorms with lightning have been forecast in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

What happened in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah?

Sri Lanka has experienced severe devastation from the cyclone. The disaster has left 123 people dead, 130 missing and nearly 15,000 homes destroyed. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency as several areas remain flooded or inaccessible. Tens of thousands of people are currently staying in shelters, and authorities warned that heavy rains and strong winds may continue even after the cyclone has moved away from the island.

India has launched a major relief mission called Operation Sagar Bandhu. Under this operation, C-130 and IL-76 aircraft carrying relief supplies have been sent to Sri Lanka. An Indian naval ship has delivered rations to local authorities, and more rescue teams have been deployed as the situation in central Sri Lanka worsens.