Cyclone Ditwah is moving from Sri Lanka towards Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh. IMD has issued an alert for heavy rainfall and b winds for the next five days. Red and orange alerts have been declared in several districts, and preparations have been intensified.
Cyclone Ditwah: According to the India Meteorological Department, cyclonic storm Ditwah, which developed from a deep depression near the coast of Sri Lanka, is now moving towards North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh. The system is currently categorized as a cyclonic storm and is not expected to upgrade to a severe cyclonic storm at this time.
Wind speeds near the core could range from 60 to 80 kmph, potentially reaching 90 kmph. Outer areas are likely to experience winds of 35 to 45 kmph, which could gust up to 55 kmph. Similar wind conditions are also expected in parts of the Arabian Sea near Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Maldives. Fishermen have been advised to stay away from large parts of the Bay of Bengal for the next five days.
Red and Orange Alerts Issued in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has issued a red alert for Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts, where over 20 cm of rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours. An orange alert has been implemented in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Chengalpattu. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed preparedness during a meeting with the disaster management authority. In light of the warnings for November 29 and 30, all departments have been instructed to maintain coordination in relief and disaster work.
Ditwah Expected to Impact Several States
Cyclone Ditwah is likely to affect Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh on November 30. The current atmospheric system predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall until November 30. Many coastal areas will experience the impact of both b winds and rain, which could disrupt daily life.
IMD Releases Ditwah's Location
IMD shared information on X, stating that the storm has moved at a speed of approximately 8 kmph in the last six hours. At 23:30 IST on November 27, 2025, it was centered near 7.9°N Latitude and 81.3°E Longitude. It was located 8 km northwest of Batticaloa, 80 km south of Trincomalee, 200 km north-northeast of Hambantota, 480 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 580 km south-southeast of Chennai. The weather agency has stated that very heavy rainfall is likely in several places across Tamil Nadu today and tomorrow.
IMD's Rainfall Forecast for Five States
Considering the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, IMD stated in its new press release that due to this system formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Tamil Nadu between November 27 and 30. Extremely heavy rainfall is also predicted in some places on November 28 and 29.
IMD has issued an orange alert for Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu. Sivaganga, Tenkasi, and Virudhunagar are under a yellow alert for tomorrow. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall until December 2.
Impact Also in Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka
Kerala is likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall on November 30, while heavy rainfall may occur in many places until November 29. Telangana is forecast to receive heavy rainfall on November 30 and December 1. A heavy rainfall warning has been issued for South Interior Karnataka on November 29. Alerts for thunderstorms, gales, and lightning strikes have also been issued for these states.
