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Chennai / Visakhapatnam, November 28, 2025 — The clock is ticking for the coastal communities of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh as the Bay of Bengal brews a new threat: Cyclonic Storm Ditwah. The system, named by Yemen and currently positioned over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay, is on a steady course toward the Indian coastline, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue high-level alerts.
The IMD’s latest bulletin confirms that Cyclone Ditwah is tracking north-northwestwards and is expected to converge near the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh by the early morning of November 30. While forecasters currently classify it as a cyclonic storm and do not anticipate it intensifying into a severe cyclone, its proximity to the coast is predicted to unleash a barrage of extreme weather.
Red and Orange Alerts Issued
In a move to galvanize preparedness, the IMD has escalated warnings across the expected path:
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry: Several districts are under an Orange Alert, with a Red Alert being issued for low-lying areas, including the Cauvery Delta districts like Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai. These areas are specifically warned of isolated extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) on November 28th and 29th, alongside gale winds that could peak at 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph.
Andhra Pradesh: South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) and Rayalaseema districts, including Chittoor, Tirupati, and Nellore, are on high alert. The region is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall for three days starting Saturday, posing a risk of flash floods and urban waterlogging.
Farmers Race the Rains
The approaching storm has triggered a panic among the agricultural community, particularly the paddy farmers in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu who are currently in the midst of the harvesting season.
“We are racing against time to move our harvested crop before the rains start,” said a worried farmer from Krishna district. “The humidity makes drying nearly impossible, and the high moisture content is already leading to potential price deductions. We are appealing to the government to relax the norms.”
Authorities have responded by instructing district officials to distribute tarpaulin sheets and ensure procurement centers are operational, aiming to minimize losses to the standing and harvested crops.
Emergency Response Activated
State disaster response forces have been mobilized, and control rooms are being activated to coordinate relief efforts.
“All district collectors have been directed to remain vigilant and activate emergency protocols,” an official stated. “Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the affected parts of the Bay of Bengal and along the coasts for the next few days due to the anticipated rough to very rough sea conditions.”
The public has been urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and closely monitor official advisories as Cyclone Ditwah makes its approach. The coming 48 hours will be critical as the weather system tracks toward its forecast position off the coast by Saturday morning.
