Cyclone Ditwah has intensified over the southwest Bay of Bengal, bringing relentless rain and gusty winds to coastal regions of Tamil Nadu as it tracks steadily toward the Indian mainland. On Saturday, November 29, the storm triggered widespread rainfall across southern districts, particularly in the Cauvery delta, while disaster management authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry initiated large-scale preparedness measures.

Heavy Rainfall and Disruption in Tamil Nadu

Several districts in Tamil Nadu experienced heavy downpours as the cyclone drew closer to the coastline. Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam, two of the state’s most vulnerable coastal regions, witnessed continuous rainfall that disrupted daily life—from transportation delays to waterlogging in low-lying areas. State revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran confirmed that the persistent rain had affected normalcy and that safety measures were in full swing.

Tamil Nadu has set up around 6,000 relief camps to accommodate people from flood-prone zones and deployed at least 28 disaster response teams across the state. In addition, 14 NDRF teams have been stationed in vulnerable districts, with further reinforcements assigned to Puducherry and Chennai. Officials emphasized that the state is prepared for worst-case scenarios, with evacuation plans, medical support, and food supplies on standby.

Meteorologists also indicated that districts such as Tiruvallur and Ranipet may witness extremely heavy rainfall. B Amudha, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, stated that several regions would continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall as the cyclone advances along its projected path.

Where Is Cyclone Ditwah Now?

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as of 5:30 pm on Saturday, Cyclone Ditwah was positioned:

• 80 km east of Vedaranyam
• 100 km southeast of Karaikal
• 190 km south-southeast of Puducherry
• 290 km south of Chennai

The storm moved nearly northwards at a speed of 10 kmph through the afternoon and evening. Its center lay over the southwest Bay of Bengal, extending into north Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coasts, at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 80.6°E.

This means that the cyclone remained relatively close to the coastline and continued to strengthen under favorable sea and atmospheric conditions. The proximity to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry belt raised concerns about strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible coastal flooding in the region.

When and Where Will Cyclone Ditwah Make Landfall?

The IMD’s latest forecast suggests the cyclonic storm will continue its north-northwestward movement, advancing toward the Indian coast. It is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal, close to north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the morning of November 30.

A detailed IMD advisory posted on X (formerly Twitter) indicated the storm’s expected proximity timeline:

• By midnight on November 29: within 60 km of the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline
• By early morning on November 30: within 50 km of the coastline
• By evening on November 30: within 25 km of the coastline

Although the IMD has not explicitly declared the precise landfall point, the projected path strongly suggests the storm will come closest to the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry belt, with the possibility of landfall or near-landfall interaction in this zone. Depending on the storm’s intensity fluctuations and movement, parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh may also be affected.

What Can Residents Expect?

As the cyclone nears the coastline, the following impacts are likely:

• Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and later parts of south Andhra Pradesh
• Strong winds, especially near the landfall zone, with speeds increasing significantly overnight
• Rough sea conditions, prompting authorities to strictly advise fishermen against venturing into the sea
• Localized flooding, particularly in urban areas such as Chennai, Puducherry, and Cuddalore
• Power outages in vulnerable regions due to wind damage

Authorities in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have urged residents to remain indoors, avoid coastal areas, and follow official instructions closely.

Looking Ahead

Cyclone Ditwah is expected to remain a significant weather event for southern India over the next 48 hours. With extensive preparedness measures underway and continuous monitoring by the IMD, disaster management teams hope to mitigate risks and ensure timely response throughout the cyclone’s movement.

Residents are advised to stay updated through official alerts and heed evacuation notices where issued, as the storm makes its closest approach to the coast on November 30.