Cyclone Ditwah continues to affect the southeast coast of India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for several districts in north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh. The cyclone has already caused widespread rainfall, flooding, and disruption to normal life, prompting authorities to deploy disaster management teams across affected areas.

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin on Sunday, Cyclone Ditwah is currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal, hovering close to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline. The storm was reported to have moved nearly northwards at a speed of 7 kmph over the past six hours, and its center remained roughly 80 km from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

The precise location of the cyclone at 11:30 am IST was near latitude 11.5°N and longitude 80.6°E. It was approximately 100 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, 110 km northeast of Karaikal, 100 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 150 km north-northeast of Vedaranniyam, and 170 km south-southeast of Chennai. The IMD has forecasted that the cyclone is likely to continue moving northwards, parallel to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastover the next 24 hours. By the afternoon of November 30, it is expected to maintain a minimum distance of 60 km from the coast, reducing to about 30 km by evening.

The cyclone has already resulted in significant rainfall across several districts, particularly in the Cauvery delta region, including Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam, which reported severe waterlogging. Coastal towns such as Rameswaram and Nagapattinam have experienced inundation in low-lying areas. Tragically, three deaths linked to rain-related incidents have already been reported.

The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall continuing over the next 24 hours across multiple districts. These include Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet, along with Puducherry and Karaikal.

Surface winds remain strong, with speeds of 60–70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph along the north coastal stretch of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Given the rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, with the IMD noting that the waves and sea turbulence are likely to improve gradually by the morning of December 1.

In preparation for the cyclone, Tamil Nadu authorities have deployed 28 disaster response teams, including State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units. An additional 10 teams from other states are expected to reinforce disaster management operations. The state government has been coordinating evacuation, relief, and emergency response efforts, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The IMD continues to monitor Cyclone Ditwah closely, providing timely updates to help authorities and residents take precautionary measures. Residents along the coast have been urged to stay alert, follow government advisories, and avoid unnecessary travel until the cyclone moves away from the shoreline.

As Cyclone Ditwah progresses, it is expected to remain over the southwest Bay of Bengal, maintaining its proximity to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast, and will likely continue to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds throughout Sunday and into Monday. Authorities have been working to mitigate the impact on lives, property, and infrastructure, emphasizing caution and preparedness in affected regions.