The Indian Meteorological Department on Friday issued a red warning for coastal parts of southern India as Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused severe devastation in Sri Lanka, continued to move northwards. The system is expected to make landfall in India early on Sunday, prompting authorities to prepare for extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and potential disruption across several states.
Cyclone Ditwah has already caused significant damage in Sri Lanka, where at least 56 people have died. Almost the entire country remained on red alert on Friday as rescue workers dealt with flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure. This is the worst disaster to hit the island nation since 2017, when severe floods and landslides resulted in more than 200 deaths and widespread displacement. According to Sri Lankan officials, 14 people have been injured and 21 are still missing following this week’s events.
In India, the IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and southern Andhra Pradesh from Friday to Monday. In its advisory, the department said the cyclone is likely to continue moving in a north northwest direction after battering Sri Lanka and then enter the southwest Bay of Bengal. It is expected to approach the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by around 5:30 am on Sunday.
Tamil Nadu is likely to see heavy rainfall between November 28 and December 1, with isolated pockets of extremely heavy rainfall expected along the coast between November 28 and November 30. In coastal Andhra Pradesh, including Yanam and the Rayalaseema region, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected between November 29 and December 1.
Officials have also warned of a gradual rise in wind speeds as the cyclone approaches land. B Amudha, Deputy Director General at the Regional Meteorological Centre, said winds could reach 60 to 80 kilometres per hour, with gusts touching 90 kilometres per hour along the storm’s path. For the next two days, strong surface winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are likely over coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
Authorities in both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are monitoring the situation and preparing for potential flooding, damage to coastal infrastructure and possible evacuation of vulnerable communities. With the system moving steadily towards the Indian coastline, disaster management teams have been placed on alert and fishing activities have been suspended in affected areas.