Sun Nov 30 01:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:

Heavy Rain and Red Alert in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Dithwa Approaches; Flights Cancelled, Schools Closed

Chennai, India – November 30, 2025 – Life in Chennai and surrounding districts of Tamil Nadu has been significantly disrupted as Cyclone Dithwa, which caused devastation in Sri Lanka, barrels towards the Indian coast. A red alert has been issued for nine districts in Tamil Nadu in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.

Heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning, began in parts of Chennai on Saturday night. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of strong winds, gusting up to 90 kmph along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coastlines. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for schools across the state on Saturday. Puducherry Central University has postponed all examinations scheduled for Saturday.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, numbering 14 in total, have been deployed across coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Dr. Amuda, head of the Chennai Meteorological Research Centre’s South Zone, indicated that the cyclone is expected to approach the Chennai coast by Sunday morning, with 14 districts likely to experience heavy rainfall.

P. Senthamarai Kannan, Director of the Chennai Meteorological Department, warned of winds reaching speeds of 65 kmph to 75 kmph in the Cauvery Delta districts and Karaikal, with even stronger gusts in Puducherry.

The districts under red alert include Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tirupathur, Krishnagiri, and Dharmapuri. Rainfall is also anticipated in Salem, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry.

Adding to the disruption, 54 flight services scheduled to arrive or depart from Chennai have been cancelled.

Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister Ramachandran stated that the cyclone is likely to make landfall near Chennai. Residents are urged to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the latest updates from authorities.

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