India is preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Ditwah along its southeastern coast, following the severe destruction caused by the storm in neighbouring Sri Lanka. With its hardest impact forecasted for Sunday, authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have mobilized disaster response teams, established thousands of relief camps, and issued advisories to minimize potential damage to life and property.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for several districts, including Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, and Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, along with the Puducherry-Karaikal region. The alert warns of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds, with the cyclone’s centre positioned approximately 25 kilometres offshore by Sunday evening. “It is a cyclone with maximum wind speed presently 70 to 80 kmph. These wind speeds are not that high but can have a large-scale impact on standing crops, and low-lying areas may face inundation. Storm surges of 0.5 to 1 metre are likely tonight,” IMD Director General M Mohapatra said. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore as sea conditions are expected to be rough.

As Ditwah approaches India, the state government has already activated 28 disaster response teams, including units from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Authorities have set up 6,000 relief camps to accommodate potential evacuees. Travel disruptions have already been felt, with Chennai airport cancelling 54 flights, while the railways have activated a war room to coordinate responses.

The storm has already wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka, where more than 20,000 homes were destroyed, over 100,000 people were moved to government shelters, and the death toll has risen to at least 153, with 191 individuals still reported missing. Over 798,000 people require assistance due to flooding, prompting Sri Lanka’s government to declare a state of emergency and request international aid. Rescue operations are ongoing, with more than 24,000 troops deployed. The Sri Lankan Army and Navy have conducted numerous operations, including rescuing 68 people trapped on a bus in the Kalaoya area. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has invoked emergency powers to coordinate relief efforts, while the Meteorology Department warns that indirect effects, including heavy rainfall, will persist in northern, central, and western provinces.

In response to the crisis, India has sent immediate assistance to Sri Lanka. Two specialised NDRF teams were deployed on Saturday, along with approximately 21 tonnes of relief material transported in military aircraft under Operation Sagar Bandhu. This follows a previous delivery of over six tonnes of essential supplies. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has established an emergency help desk at Bandaranaike International Airport to assist stranded Indian nationals, providing food, water, and logistical support amid severe air traffic disruptions.

The IMD has forecasted light to moderate rainfall in most areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema, with isolated locations experiencing extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm. Andhra Pradesh is expected to see four days of heavy rainfall from November 30 to December 3, while Telangana will experience light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy showers expected on Sunday. Despite Ditwah not making landfall in India, its proximity is expected to cause disruption to transportation, damage to crops, and localized flooding in low-lying areas.

State revenue and disaster management minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran emphasized that disaster response teams are fully mobilized and ready to respond. Airlines have issued travel advisories, and authorities continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory to minimize impact. The IMD continues to track Ditwah closely, providing hourly updates to ensure timely warnings for affected regions.

The cyclone is part of a growing pattern of extreme weather events in South Asia, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal regions to cyclonic storms. In Sri Lanka, flooding and landslides have compounded the devastation, cutting off several areas in the central province, disrupting communications, and leaving many communities without access to essential services. Relief operations are ongoing, and international assistance continues to play a crucial role in mitigating the humanitarian impact.

In India, the priority is to protect lives and infrastructure as Ditwah passes offshore. With disaster response units in position, relief camps ready, and travel advisories issued, the government aims to minimize casualties and economic damage. Coastal districts are on high alert, and citizens have been urged to exercise caution, particularly fishermen and those in low-lying areas.

The NDRF is coordinating its efforts with the IMD, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), state governments, and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure a seamless response both domestically and internationally. This collaborative approach reflects India’s preparedness to manage natural disasters and provide timely assistance to neighbouring countries in need.

As Cyclone Ditwah moves along the southwest Bay of Bengal, the focus remains on vigilant monitoring, rapid deployment of emergency teams, and safeguarding vulnerable populations. With prior lessons from devastating cyclones in the region, authorities are acting decisively to reduce the human and economic toll while ensuring that essential services continue uninterrupted.