Cyclone Ditwah moves toward Tamil Nadu–Puducherry Coast as IMD issues red alerts
India tracked Cyclone Ditwah closely on Friday as the storm moved over coastal Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported steady movement toward the north-northwest. The system now heads toward the Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, likely reaching the region by the early hours of November 30.
IMD shared the storm’s exact position at 8:30 am on November 28. The cyclone hovered near 8.3°N and 81.0°E. It lay 40 km southwest of Trincomalee and 100 km northwest of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka. On the Indian side, it remained 320 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 430 km south-southeast of Puducherry, and 530 km south of Chennai. This movement indicated a clear and gradual approach toward India’s eastern coastline.
As Ditwah advanced, IMD said the cyclone would continue its north-northwest track. It will follow the Sri Lanka coast and then enter the southwest Bay of Bengal. From there, it will move toward North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh. IMD expects the system to reach the coastline in the early morning hours of November 30.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu began preparing. The Regional Met Centre issued a red alert in several Cauvery Delta districts. Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai now remain on high alert until November 30. These districts often face heavy rain and flooding during strong cyclonic activity, so officials strengthened readiness measures.
Authorities also activated cyclone alerts for North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh. They urged residents in coastal zones to stay cautious, avoid the sea, and track official advisories. With the system intensifying, early warnings became critical for risk reduction.
On November 28, IMD issued multiple alerts across Tamil Nadu. The agency released a red alert for Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam. Other districts received yellow and orange alerts depending on expected rainfall levels. Puducherry also received a yellow alert as rain bands began forming along the coast.
Andhra Pradesh also prepared for impact. The state received yellow alerts for Tirupati, Prakasam, Kakinada, Guntur, and nearby regions. IMD expects moderate to heavy rain as the cyclone approaches the coastline. Local authorities advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea and asked residents in low-lying areas to stay vigilant.
Cyclone Ditwah now approaches a critical phase of its journey. Its movement signals possible intense rainfall, rising winds, and coastal disruptions. With alerts activated and response teams on standby, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh prepare for the storm’s landfall window on November 30. Authorities continue to track the system and urge people to follow updates closely as the cyclone moves nearer to India’s east coast.
