As Cyclone Ditwah continues its slow movement along the Bay of Bengal, India remains on high alert with the IMD issuing red and orange warnings for multiple districts across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The storm, which Sri Lanka and claimed over 80 lives, is now steadily approaching the Indian coastline, prompting emergency preparations and widespread caution.
Ditwah’s Slow March: Storm Movement and Current Position
Cyclone Ditwah, moving at an unusually slow pace, brought early showers to south Tamil Nadu on Friday.
The system crawled over Sri Lanka, covering only about 70 km in 15 hours, with its speed dropping to nearly 3 kmph.
As of now, Ditwah is positioned 470 km south of Chennai.
According to the IMD, the cyclone is likely to continue its north–northwestward track across the Sri Lanka coast and the southwest Bay of Bengal, reaching close to North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning of November 30.
While Ditwah is expected to weaken into a deep depression by the time it nears the Chennai coast, forecasters warn that the system will still be powerful enough to trigger widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across coastal regions.
Ditwah’s Impact on Sri Lanka: Death Toll Rises Beyond 80
Before shifting toward India, Cyclone Ditwah unleashed severe destruction across Sri Lanka.
The storm’s slow movement intensified the impact, resulting in the death of more than 80 people.
In response, India launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, sending immediate humanitarian assistance to the island nation.
The first tranche of relief materials has already been dispatched through the INS Vikrant and frontline ship INS Udaigiri.
IMD Red and Orange Alerts: Tamil Nadu Braces for Extreme Weather
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has retained a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm in 24 hours) on Saturday for: Four coastal districts in north Tamil Nadu
Additionally, Chennai and 13 adjoining districts remain under an orange alert for: Heavy to very heavy rainfall (12–20 cm),Peak rainfall activity expected on Saturday as Ditwah moves parallel to the coast
Wind Speed Forecast Under Ditwah’s Influence
According to P Senthamarai Kannan, Director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre: Winds may intensify from Saturday
Speeds likely to reach 70–80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph. Strong winds expected over the delta region, coastal TN districts, Puducherry, and Karaikal
Ditwah’s Expected Influence on Andhra Pradesh
Preparations are underway in Andhra Pradesh as well:Control rooms have been activated, Disaster response forces are being deployed across vulnerable zones
IMD’s rainfall warnings for Andhra Pradesh include:Heavy rains in Rayalaseema and south coastal Andhra between Saturday and Sunday, Orange alert for several districts on Saturday, Red alert for some districts on Sunday
What is Cyclone Ditwah?
Ditwah is a slow-moving cyclonic storm affecting Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Where is Ditwah currently located?
It is positioned 470 km south of Chennai, moving toward the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Will Ditwah hit Tamil Nadu directly?
The storm is expected to move parallel to the TN coast, likely weakening into a deep depression near Chennai.
Which areas are under red alert due to Ditwah?
Four coastal districts in north Tamil Nadu and several districts in Andhra Pradesh for Sunday.
How badly was Sri Lanka affected?
Sri Lanka recorded over 80 deaths due to Ditwah’s severe impact.