Cyclone Ditwah: Alert in Tamil Nadu as Ditwah approaches; 56 killed in Sri Lanka | Highlights

Due to Cyclone Ditwah, gusty winds and high tides were witnessed on the coasts of Puducherry on Friday. 

IMD official Jagannadha Kumar has said that light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places in north coastal Andhra Pradesh for the next two days. 

Strong winds, rain and rough sea conditions in Tamil Nadu's Pamban as a result of cyclonic storm 'Ditwah' moving north-northwest across Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal.

As many as 56 persons were killed in Sri Lanka following floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. Over 21 persons have been reported missing. The Sri Lanka government has declared a public holiday on Friday, barring people involved in essential services, owing to the extreme weather conditions. Click here to read more.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rains are expected in Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema from November 29 to December 1.

According to the IMD, cyclonic storm Ditwah will lead to heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry till November 30.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar said on Friday that Operation Sagar Bandhu has commenced. In an X post, he said: "INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri hand over relief material at Colombo. Further steps are underway."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the loss of lives in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah, while supporting support to the neighbouring island nation under 'Operation Sagar Bandhu'. He said India has dispatched the first batch of relief materials and HADR support to Sri Lanka and is ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation develops. Click here to read more.

"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. 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," posted PM Modi on X. 

Cyclonic Storm Ditwah is slowly approaching the Tamil Nadu coastline, moving at a speed of 7 to 10 kmph. According to the weather department, the storm is currently positioned 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal and 530 km south of Chennai. It is expected to continue its north-northwest path across Sri Lanka and reach the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early hours of November 30.

Sri Lanka is struggling with the growing impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The storm has triggered severe flooding in more than a dozen districts, killing at least 56 people, while 21 others are still missing. Nearly 44,000 people from over 12,000 families have been affected.

On preparedness for cyclone 'Ditwah', Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says, " 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 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."

Telangana may receive heavy rainfall on 30 November and 1 December, while South Interior Karnataka is likely to be hit on 29 November. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema may see heavy to very heavy showers till 2 December.

IMD forecasts isolated extremely heavy rain in Kerala on 30 November, with heavy showers likely until 29 November. Thunderstorm and lightning alerts remain in place.

IMD forecasts isolated extremely heavy rain in Kerala on 30 November, with heavy showers likely until 29 November. Thunderstorm and lightning alerts remain in place.

Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu on 28 and 29 November, with several districts under orange alert, including Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukkudi.

The IMD says Cyclone Ditwah continues to move northwestward at 8 kmph, positioned near 7.9°N, 81.3°E. It was last tracked 8 km northwest of Batticaloa and remains 580 km south-southeast of Chennai.