Cyclone Ditwah: IAF ready for ‘large-scale evacuation’ of Indian nationals from Sri Lanka
With 149 cattle dead and over 57,000 hectares of farmland damaged, authorities warn of worsening conditions as IMD issues red alert for TN, Andhra, Puducherry
Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Tamil Nadu, Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said on Sunday (November 30).
As many as 149 cattle died and 57,000 hectares of farmland have been affected in the delta districts, the minister for Revenue and Disaster Management said.
“Three people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents since last evening. While two persons died due to wall collapse in Tuticorin and Thanjavur, respectively, a 20-year-old youth died due to electrocution in Mayiladuthurai,” he said while briefing reporters at the State Emergency Operations Centre.
Also read | Cyclone Ditwah leaves 120 dead in Sri Lanka, heads to India
These incidents come as the region faces intensifying weather conditions linked to Cyclone Ditwah. After wreaking havoc in Sri Lanka, the cyclone is now driving Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry to brace for more torrential rains as it moves towards the Indian coast, the chief of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. The weather department has also issued a red alert for these regions.
IMD warns continued impact
IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said sea winds around Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have strengthened to 70–80 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 90 km/hour, due to the cyclone’s impact.
He said that although the cyclone will pass about 50 kilometres off the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast on Sunday morning, its effects will persist until the evening.
The IMD chief also said no structural damage is expected, though standing crops may be affected.
“Heavy rainfall was recorded in coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry in the past 24 hours due to its impact. We have sounded a red alert for these regions... Kerala may also witness isolated incidents of heavy to very heavy rainfall,” he said.
Trail of destruction in Sri Lanka
Earlier, Cyclone Ditwah prompted Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to declare a state of emergency across the island following the severe flooding and devastation it caused. An official gazette dated Friday and issued on Saturday confirmed that the state of emergency applies nationwide.
On Saturday, Cyclone Ditwah moved out of Sri Lanka after leaving 153 people dead and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, before making its way towards the south Indian coastline, meteorological officials said.
Also read | Cyclone Ditwah: Heavy rain likely in TN, Andhra till November 30
The official death toll stands at 153, while 191 people are still missing, according to news agency Reuters. The figure is expected to be much higher as severely affected areas suffer communication breakdown due to bad weather which has hampered verification of the impact from the disaster.
Operation Sagar Bandhu
Meanwhile, India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah triggered severe floods and landslides, deploying IAF C-130 and IL-76 aircraft carrying around 21 tonnes of relief material, essential supplies and over 80 NDRF personnel with specialised rescue dogs and equipment to Colombo.
The Indian Navy earlier delivered the first tranche of aid via INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri, while additional NDRF teams have been stationed across vulnerable districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as part of precautionary measures. India has emphasised that the assistance reaffirms its “Neighbourhood First” commitment as Sri Lanka battles one of its worst recent disasters.
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- 30 Nov 2025 7:15 AM IST
Kerala CM writes to Jaishankar offering support for Indians stranded at Colombo airport
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, offering all necessary support from the state for the Indians stranded at the Colombo airport due to Cyclone Ditwah.
Vijayan, in his letter, said the cyclone has caused severe disruptions at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, stranding nearly 300 Indian passengers, many of whom are from Kerala. He said the Indian passengers have been stuck there for the last three days without adequate food, water and basic facilities.
The chief minister said many of the passengers were using Colombo as a pit stop for return journeys to home or going abroad and are in crisis at present. "We are deeply concerned about the condition of the people who are stranded. The Government of Kerala stands ready to provide all necessary support and awaits your kind urgent response and action," Vijayan said in the letter to Jaishankar. PTI
- 30 Nov 2025 7:14 AM IST
Vaishnaw reviews railway preparedness ahead of Cyclone Ditwah
In view of Cyclone Ditwah bearing down on Tamil Nadu, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness measures on Saturday to ensure minimum disruption to rail services and passenger safety. The coastal areas expected to be hit by the impending cyclone fall mainly under the Southern Railway zone.
"A dedicated network of helplines and passenger-assistance desks must be established to support travellers facing uncertainties due to cancellations or rerouting," a press statement from the railway ministry said. It added that Vaishnaw has reaffirmed the commitment of the Indian Railways to public safety.
The minister has instructed the officials concerned to ensure that war rooms are activated at the divisional, zonal and Railway Board levels to monitor the situation and remain alert for any extreme scenario.
"He has also asked railway officials to coordinate with civil-administration authorities and proactively communicate with passengers until normalcy is restored," the statement said. PTI
- 30 Nov 2025 7:13 AM IST
Public warned to stay away
Officials have advised people to keep away from the coastline as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies near Puducherry.
- 30 Nov 2025 7:10 AM IST
Puducherry braces for Ditwah
Puducherry is experiencing rough sea conditions as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies in the Bay of Bengal.
- 30 Nov 2025 7:08 AM IST
Red alert sounded for Cuddalore
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Ditwah approaches.
- 29 Nov 2025 8:22 PM IST
Rough waves in Mamallapuram
Strong sea waves hit Nemmeli Kuppam in Mamallapuram due to the influence of Cyclone Ditwah. - 29 Nov 2025 8:19 PM IST
Thoothukudi mayor takes stock
Thoothukudi Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy takes stock of the situation and inspects the relief operation in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. - 29 Nov 2025 6:36 PM IST
Trains, tourism affected
The Southern Railway has announced changes in the pattern of train services for December due to the cyclone.
“The wind velocity at Pamban Bridge has receded and was now within the prescribed threshold limit. Hence, the resumption of train traffic to Rameswaram will be announced soon,” a release said.
A tourist van got stranded in an area marooned near a canal in Ramanthapuram district. The occupants, however, had a providential escape as they managed to step out through the rear door.
The district administration has warned people not to venture out unnecessarily due to the adverse weather conditions of strong gales and heavy downpour.
Tourists have been asked not to visit Dhanushkodi on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, which is west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, as a precaution. The town was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone in Rameswaram.
- 29 Nov 2025 6:35 PM IST
Livelihoods hit hard in TN
Rain triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which entered the open sea inching towards the Tamil Nadu coast, lashed the coastal areas and Cauvery delta districts on Saturday, with Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts bearing the brunt.
Normal life in Rameswaram was affected for the second day on Saturday owing to continuous rain accompanied by gusty winds. A few trees were uprooted in Nagapattinam, which also received heavy rain.
According to an official, 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been deployed in the vulnerable districts in the state, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Mayiladuthurai. Additional teams have been allocated for Puducherry and Chennai.
Fishermen from Chennai, Rameswaram, Pamban, Nagapattinam, and other coastal districts did not venture into the sea for the second consecutive day today owing to the rough weather conditions.
The deltaic districts of Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukkottai, Karaikal, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Tiruchirappalli and Karaikal districts received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds.
Farmers claimed paddy crops raised on about one lakh acres of land and other crops were submerged in water.
In Chennai, an official of the Water Resources Department said surplus water from Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs would be let out into the sea as a precaution to safeguard the dams.
- 29 Nov 2025 6:31 PM IST
Will the cyclone hit Chennai?
According to Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, it is not yet clear if Cyclone Ditwah will hit the coast near Chennai, but the state government is fully prepared to launch rescue and relief activities on a war footing.
“About 28 disaster response teams, including SDRF and NDRF teams, are on standby. We are planning to airlift 10 more teams from other states. The Air Force and Coast Guard have also been alerted. Additionally, monitoring teams will be sent to the districts tomorrow,” the minister told reporters.
There have been no fatalities so far, but 16 livestock have died, and 24 huts have been damaged.
As many as 6,000 relief camps have been established in the districts. Reports from the weather office suggest that the cyclone may pass parallel to the Chennai coast and may fetch heavy rain, he said, and urged the public to follow Chief Minister MK Stalin’s advice to remain safe.
