Cyclone Ditwah: IMD Issues Orange Alert for North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an “Orange Message” cyclone alert for the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah moves slowly across coastal Sri Lanka and the Southwest Bay of Bengal.

Current Status

As of 11:30 AM IST on November 28, 2025, Cyclone Ditwah was centered over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal at Latitude 8.4°N and Longitude 81.0°E, moving north-northwest at a speed of 4 kmph. The storm is currently:

• 30 km southwest of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka)

• 310 km south-southeast of Karaikal

• 420 km south-southeast of Puducherry

• 520 km south of Chennai

Forecast and Landfall

The IMD forecasts that Cyclone Ditwah will continue its north-northwest trajectory across Sri Lanka and is expected to approach the Southwest Bay of Bengal near the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by the early morning of Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Severe Weather Warnings

1. Heavy Rainfall:

   • Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at many places, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20 cm) predicted for south coastal Tamil Nadu today (Nov 28), coastal Tamil Nadu tomorrow (Nov 29), and North Coastal Tamil Nadu on Nov 30.

   • Andhra Pradesh: Coastal areas and Rayalaseema may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, increasing to isolated extremely heavy rainfall on Nov 30.

   • Kerala: Heavy rainfall expected at isolated places through Nov 29.

2. Wind: Gale winds are currently prevailing and are expected to increase to 70–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph from the night of Nov 28 through the morning of Nov 30 along the Southwest Bay of Bengal and coastal areas.

3. Sea Condition & Storm Surge: Sea conditions remain very rough to high and unsafe for marine activities. A storm surge of 1.0–1.5 meters is likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas of North Sri Lanka by the evening of Nov 29.

Potential Impact

Authorities have warned of:

• Roofs being blown off thatched houses

• Damage to power and communication lines

• Uprooting of large trees

• Localized flooding and inundation of low-lying areas

Official Advisories

• Fishermen: Fishing operations along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, South Andhra Pradesh, and Sri Lanka are suspended until Dec 1. Fishermen at sea are advised to return immediately.

• Public Safety: Coastal hutment dwellers should move to safer locations. Citizens are urged to stay indoors during heavy winds and avoid sheltering under trees due to lightning risks.

• Transport: Surface transport and tourism activities in coastal areas may be regulated or suspended.

The IMD continues to closely monitor the storm, urging citizens to follow official updates and local administrative instructions.

Also Read: Sri Lanka closes schools and offices as deadly floods and landslides worsen