As Cyclone Ditwah moves closer to the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, authorities across multiple sectors have intensified preparations.
The system, currently advancing from coastal Sri Lanka into the southwest Bay of Bengal, continues to strengthen, prompting an orange alert in several regions.
Cyclone Ditwah ravages Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka remains in the grip of torrential rains and severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.
The country’s Disaster Management Centre reported on Saturday that at least 123 people have died, while 130 remain missing.
According to Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda, more than 43,000 people have been relocated to state-run shelters after week-long rains destroyed homes and inundated entire communities.
IMD tracks cyclone’s path towards TN, Puducherry
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclone Ditwah moved north-northwest at 8 kmph over the past six hours and was positioned at 5:30 am over the southwest Bay of Bengal near northern Sri Lanka.
It was located about 300 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 400 km south of Chennai.
The IMD predicts that the system will continue its trajectory and reach the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early Sunday morning.
Wind speeds along the coastline have already reached 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph.
The IMD expects these to intensify to gale-force winds of 70–80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph between Saturday morning and early Sunday, before gradually reducing to squally winds by December 1.
Sea conditions remain rough and could turn very rough or even high as the cyclone approaches.
Chennai airport cancels 54 flights
In response to the worsening weather, Chennai Airport cancelled 54 scheduled flights on Saturday.
The suspension includes ATR-type turboprop services to key destinations such as Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Jaffna.
Both departures and arrivals have been halted, with airlines urging passengers to avoid unnecessary travel to the airport.
Officials said the cancellations were based on safety assessments related to strong winds and heavy rainfall predicted by the IMD.
Schools shut as heavy rainfall expected across TN
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued warnings for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several districts as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies.
Schools and colleges have been shut in Perambalur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Pudukottai, Puducherry and Karaikal.
In Villupuram, Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts, schools alone have been declared closed, while colleges continue to operate unless further orders are issued.
Pondicherry University announced that all Saturday examinations have been postponed following a Coast Guard advisory on the cyclone’s impact.
Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai have been alerted for intense spells of rain and gusty winds. Several other districts—including Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Ariyalur and Salem—are also expected to see heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Advisory issued
District administrations have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded areas and follow official weather updates closely.
Fishermen have been strictly barred from entering the sea due to hazardous conditions.
In Thanjavur’s coastal belt, nearly 1,500 mechanised boats and more than 2,000 country boats have been anchored securely ahead of the cyclone.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held discussions with district collectors from 14 regions to review preparedness.
According to an official release, 16 State Disaster Response Force teams and 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across key districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
Authorities have also advised tourists to avoid visiting Dhanushkodi—an area historically ravaged by cyclones, including the devastating 1964 storm.
India sends aid to Sri Lanka
Amid escalating destruction in Sri Lanka, India has expanded its humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
On Saturday, an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying nearly 12 tonnes of relief material—including tents, blankets, sanitation kits and ready-to-eat food—landed in Colombo.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared the update on X, highlighting India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in its hour of crisis.
An 80-member NDRF contingent, split into two teams and accompanied by specialised rescue dogs, also departed from Hindon airbase early Saturday morning aboard an IL-76 aircraft.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry expressed gratitude to India for the swift assistance.
The first consignment of relief had already arrived the previous day via the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri.
