Puducherry, November 29, 2025 — All schools and colleges in Puducherry, including private institutions, as well as educational establishments in Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, will remain closed on Saturday due to heavy rainfall expected under the influence of Cyclone Ditwah, Home and Education Minister A. Namassivayam announced.

The decision comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Puducherry, warning of intense rainfall over November 29 and 30 as Cyclone Ditwah moves through the Bay of Bengal. The alert indicates the possibility of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 20 centimeters in a single day.

Earlier in the morning, Lt Governor K. Kailashnathan convened an emergency meeting with top officials to review preparedness measures as the union territory braces for the cyclone. The Lt Governor directed all disaster-related agencies to act promptly on preventive measures and ensure a swift response to any distress situation.

Officials briefed Kailashnathan that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Arakkonam had already arrived in Puducherry and were being deployed across Puducherry and Karaikal for rescue and relief operations. The Lt Governor emphasized that control rooms should remain functional round the clock to manage emergencies efficiently.

Authorities were instructed to warn fishermen against venturing into the sea and ensure all fishing vessels are securely anchored. Hospitals were asked to stock essential medicines and emergency supplies, while relief centers would be opened at multiple locations with food packets arranged for those requiring shelter. Measures to drain water from flood-prone areas were also ordered to mitigate the impact of potential inundation.

According to the IMD bulletin, Cyclone Ditwah was positioned approximately 300 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 410 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 510 km south-southeast of Chennai at the time of the advisory.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan, Development Commissioner and Disaster Management Head Krishna Mohan Uppu, and District Collector A. Kulothungan, among other officials.

The cyclone’s name, ‘Ditwah’, meaning a lagoon, was suggested by Yemen and is inspired by the Detwah Lagoon located on Socotra’s northwest coast. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged residents to remain alert and adhere to safety instructions.