Cyclonic Storm Ditwah Nears Tamil Nadu–Andhra Coast; Heavy Rainfall to Intensify Across Southern States Cyclonic

Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, currently churning over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is moving steadily north-northwest and is expected to approach the Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the early hours of November 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

As of 5:30 am IST, the system was centred near 8.2°N, 81.1°E — about 50 km south-southwest of Trincomalee, 90 km northwest of Batticaloa, and 230 km north of Hambantota. On the Indian side, Ditwah lay roughly 440 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 540 km south of Chennai, drifting at around 7 kmph over the last six hours.

The cyclone is likely to maintain its north-northwestward track, crossing Sri Lanka’s coast and re-emerging over the southwest Bay of Bengal before nearing North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by early November 30.

Rainfall to Strengthen Across South India

The cyclone and the associated deep depression are set to produce widespread rainfall:

• Tamil Nadu: Heavy to very heavy rain from Nov 28–30; isolated extremely heavy showers today and tomorrow.

• Rayalaseema: Rain from Nov 28–Dec 1; extremely heavy spells possible on Nov 30.

• Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam: Heavy to very heavy rain from Nov 28–Dec 2, peaking on Nov 30.

• Kerala & Mahe: Heavy rain today and tomorrow.

• Telangana: Isolated heavy rain on Nov 30 and Dec 1.

• South Interior Karnataka: Heavy rain likely on Nov 29.

Thunderstorms with lightning are expected in Tamil Nadu (Nov 28–Dec 1), Kerala & Mahe (Nov 28–29), Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam (Nov 28–Dec 1), South Interior Karnataka (Nov 29–30), and North Interior Karnataka (Nov 30).

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands may see thunderstorms with gusty winds of 30–40 kmph today and tomorrow.

Temperature Outlook

• Northwest India: Minimum temperatures to rise by 2–3°C over the next two days, then fall again.

• Central India: A drop of 2–3°C expected over the next two days.

• East India: A gradual 2–3°C increase over the next three days.

• West India: Little change for 24 hours, followed by a 2–3°C drop over four days.

• Northeast India: No significant change over the next five days.

Fog & Cold Wave Alerts

• Dense fog: Likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana–Chandigarh–Delhi (Nov 28–30), and East Rajasthan (Nov 30–Dec 1).

• Cold wave: Expected in Punjab (Nov 28–29) and Rajasthan (Dec 3–4).

Authorities are monitoring the system closely. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal or along the Sri Lanka coast. Coastal residents are urged to remain alert and follow official warnings as Cyclone Ditwah approaches the Indian shoreline.