Cyclone Ditwah’s approach toward the southeast coast of India triggered significant disruptions across Tamil Nadu on Saturday, November 29, affecting both air and rail transport. With the storm drawing closer and intensifying over the southwest Bay of Bengal, authorities escalated preparedness measures as heavy rainfall and strong winds swept across coastal districts. Despite detailed monitoring by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the precise landfall point remained uncertain as of Saturday night.

Air Travel Severely Hit: Over 40 Flights Cancelled

Chennai Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in South India, faced widespread disruptions as Cyclone Ditwah approached the region. A high-level review meeting was conducted via video conference with airport authorities, IMD officials, and key stakeholders to assess the evolving weather conditions.

As of Saturday evening:

• 36 domestic flights and 11 international flights were cancelled, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Chennai.
• Visibility fluctuations and gusty winds prompted airlines to suspend services as a precaution.
• Airport authorities warned that further cancellations or delays could occur on Sunday, depending on the cyclone’s proximity and intensity.

The IMD’s advisory indicated that the storm would move dangerously close to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline by early November 30. Officials emphasized that passenger safety and operational security would dictate all flight decisions.

Train Services Affected as Railways Activate Emergency Mechanisms

Southern Railway issued advisories and altered schedules in response to deteriorating conditions along the coast. One of the most vulnerable points—the Pamban Bridge, which connects the mainland to Rameswaram—was temporarily shut due to high wind speeds.

A later update provided some relief:

“The wind velocity at Pamban Bridge has receded and is now within prescribed limits. Hence, train traffic to Rameswaram will resume soon,” the official release stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways confirmed that:

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had reviewed the preparedness of Southern Railway teams.
• War rooms were activated at the Board, zonal, and divisional levels.
• Continuous monitoring would continue until normalcy returns.

The railway network across coastal districts remains on alert, with additional personnel deployed to manage emergencies.

Where Is Cyclone Ditwah Now?

On Saturday evening, Cyclone Ditwah was located close to the Tamil Nadu coast, particularly the Nagapattinam region. The IMD noted the following positions:

• 110 km southeast of Vedaranyam
• 150 km southeast of Karaikal
• 250 km south-southeast of Puducherry
• 350 km south of Chennai

The storm was moving north-northwest, and is expected to skirt close to the North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–South Andhra Pradesh coastline by the early hours of November 30.

An IMD bulletin further predicted how close the cyclone would come:

• 60 km from the coastline by Saturday night
• 50 km by Sunday morning
• 25 km by Sunday evening

These distances indicate that the storm is likely to remain extremely close to the coast throughout Sunday, increasing the risk of flooding, strong winds, and sea-level disturbances.

Landfall: Still Uncertain

Despite widespread speculation, the IMD had not confirmed a precise landfall point as of Saturday night.

Tamil Nadu’s State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran told reporters that it was still uncertain whether the cyclone would make landfall near Chennai. However, he assured the public that the government was prepared for large-scale rescue and relief operations, stressing that preventive measures were already underway across vulnerable districts.

Even without a clear landfall location, the cyclone’s passage close to the coast will be enough to bring severe weather to multiple districts.

Heavy Rain, Red Alerts, and Coastal Damage

Cyclone Ditwah has already begun impacting coastal areas dramatically. Several districts—including Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam—recorded heavy rainfall, waterlogging, and damage to infrastructure.

Key impacts reported so far:

• Extremely heavy rainfall expected in Tiruvallur and Ranipet, prompting the IMD to issue a red alert for both districts.
• The sea turned violent along stretches of the coast, especially near Mandapam, where strong waves damaged mechanised fishing boats.
• Coastal erosion led to road breaches and flooding in low-lying regions.

According to B Amudha, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre:

“A red alert has been issued for Tiruvallur and Ranipet districts tomorrow due to the possibility of heavy rain. In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, winds will blow up to 40–60 km/h.”

Additional districts likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall include:

• Chennai
• Kancheepuram
• Chengalpattu
• Vellore
• Tirupattur
• Krishnagiri
• Dharmapuri
• Tiruvannamalai
• Villupuram

With the cyclone expected to remain close to the coast for much of Sunday, authorities are urging residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow advisories strictly.

What Comes Next?

Cyclone Ditwah will continue to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and potential flooding across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of South Andhra Pradesh through Sunday. Transport operations—both air and rail—may see further disruption depending on how close the storm travels to the coast.

As authorities continue to monitor the cyclone’s trajectory, residents are advised to stay alert, follow official updates, and prioritize safety until the storm fully passes out of the region.