Sat Nov 29 15:20:00 UTC 2025: Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ Lashes South India, Disrupting Air and Rail Services
Chennai, India – Cyclone ‘Ditwah’, after wreaking havoc in Sri Lanka, is making its presence felt along the southern coast of India. Tamil Nadu is experiencing heavy rainfall, with Ramnathapuram and Nagapattinam districts bearing the brunt of the storm.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the cyclone will make landfall on Sunday, impacting Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. Both the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh governments assert they are prepared for any eventuality.
“The cyclonic storm ‘Ditwah’ over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Sri Lanka moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 8 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 5.30 am today over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Sri Lanka,” the IMD said in a statement.
Tamil Nadu’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, assured the public that there have been no reported casualties so far. He also stated that 28 disaster response teams, including NDRF and SDRF personnel, are on standby. The Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard are also monitoring the situation.
The NDRF has deployed 14 teams across Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Mayiladuthurai, and Chennai. Puducherry, under a red alert, has also received an additional NDRF team. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore until the weather improves.
The cyclone has disrupted air and rail services in Tamil Nadu. Chennai Airport reported the cancellation of 54 flights on Saturday due to adverse weather conditions. Several airlines, including Air India, have warned of potential disruptions to flights to and from Chennai and other cities in the region.
Southern Railway has also announced timetable adjustments. However, rail traffic to Rameswaram is expected to resume soon as wind speeds on the Pamban Bridge have decreased to safe levels.
Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ has left a trail of devastation, with a reported death toll of 132 and 171 people missing. The Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency. India has extended assistance to Sri Lanka through “Operation Sagar Bandhu,” sending a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with 12 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombo.
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