Cyclone Ditwah was located about 100 km east-southeast of Cuddalore, 110 km north-east of Karaikal, 100 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 150 km north-northeast of Vedaranniyam and 170 km south-southeast of Chennai (India) by Sunday afternoon. The minimum distance of the centre of the cyclone from North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts was about 80 km at 11.30 am, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) in an evening update.

Retains status

IMD maintained the cyclone has managed to retain its status despite the wind field getting compromised due to proximity to land features along the coat. It had also slowed down in terms of speed of lateral movement after it left Jaffna at the northern tip of Sri Lanka.

The cyclone is very likely to move northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts until Monday. The distance from coastline to the storm centre will have been reduced to a minimum of 30 km. 

The 24 hours ending Sunday morning saw heavy to very heavy rainfall being recorded in some places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall. The heaviest of the rain fell over southern parts of the State, including the Delta region. 

The IMD has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning over Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, and Rayalaseema for four days from Monday, and over Kerala and Mahe for three days from Tuesday. 

Winds to wind down

Wind speeds along and off south Tamil Nadu coast, Gulf of Mannar, and Comorin were expected to wind down from gale to squally winds speeding 50km/hr to 60 km/h gusting to 70 km/hr by evening of Sunday, and further down to 45 km/hr-55 km/hr gusting to 65 km/hr by Monday morning. 

Over west-central Bay of Bengal and along off South Andhra Pradesh coast, squally winds (55-65 km/hr gusting to 75 km/hr) that prevailed on Sunday afternoon will reduce speeds of 45-55 km/hr gusting to 65 km/hr on Monday morning. 

Published on November 30, 2025