COLOMBO/TAMIL NADU – Heavy rains and floods from Cyclone Ditwah have turned parts of Sri Lanka into a watery nightmare, killing at least 123 people and leaving 130 others missing. The storm, which slammed into the island’s east coast on November 27, has forced a state of emergency and sent over 100,000 folks scrambling for safety. Now, as it weakens but pushes north toward India’s Tamil Nadu coast, officials there are on high alert with schools shut, flights grounded, and rescue teams ready. “We’ve lost too much already – we can’t let it happen here,” said Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin in a press meet today.
The cyclone, named by Yemen and the fourth of the 2025 North Indian Ocean season, formed from a low-pressure area off Sri Lanka’s southeast shore. Warm seas and low winds helped it grow fast, dumping over 300mm of rain in just days – that’s like a month’s worth in hours. Landslides buried homes in hilly spots like Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, while rivers like the Kelani overflowed near Colombo, flooding low areas and cutting power to thousands. By Saturday morning, the death toll hit 123, with 130 missing – numbers that could climb as search teams battle mud and debris.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a national emergency late Friday, giving troops quick powers to evacuate and aid folks. “This is Sri Lanka’s worst storm in years – we need every hand on deck,” he said in a TV address. Over 770,000 people affected, 100,000 in shelters, and roads, rails, and even Colombo’s airport snarled by water. The Red Cross warns of disease risks in crowded camps, urging clean water drops.
India stepped up fast with “Operation Sagar Bandhu” – two Air Force planes landed in Colombo with 20 tons of food, meds, and gear, plus 80 NDRF troops. PM Narendra Modi tweeted: “My heartfelt condolences to Sri Lanka… India stands ready with more help.” Pakistan’s Navy ship PNS Saif docked with tents and supplies too, showing neighborly ties amid the mess. Starlink even offered free internet to cut-off areas.
But the storm isn’t done – it’s churning north at 8 kmph, eyes on Tamil Nadu’s coast by Sunday morning. IMD says it’ll skim parallel to the shore, bringing heavy rain to delta districts like Thanjavur and Nagapattinam, plus winds up to 70 kmph. No full landfall expected, but enough to flood fields and roads.
How Cyclone Ditwah Built Up and Hit Sri Lanka Hard
It started quiet on November 26: A blob of clouds off Sri Lanka’s east, fed by 30°C sea temps and calm upper winds. By November 27, IMD called it a depression, then a cyclonic storm – Ditwah – with gusts to 80 kmph. It barreled into Trincomalee, dumping rain that swelled rivers and loosened hillsides.
Eastern and central Sri Lanka took the brunt. In Badulla, a landslide swallowed a bus, killing 25. Colombo’s suburbs like Malwana saw knee-deep floods, folks boating to markets. “Water rose so fast – we grabbed what we could and ran,” said Kumari, a mom from Malwana, wading home Saturday. Over 15,000 homes wrecked, crops like tea and rice ruined – a big hit for Sri Lanka’s shaky economy.
Rescue ops? Tough. Muddy roads blocked trucks, phones down in spots. Army and police moved 20,000 people, but calls for help poured in – 195 camps now house 14,000 families. Red Cross chief Mahesh Gunasekara: “Teams can’t reach everyone yet – it’s overwhelming.” Power cuts hit 500,000 homes; telecoms urged to fix lines quick.
Aid flowed in: US gave $2 million, China pledged support. Sri Lanka asked for global help Saturday, as toll climbed. “We’ve faced monsoons before, but this feels different – climate change?” wondered a Colombo shopkeeper, staring at his flooded store.
The Path to India: Weakening But Still Risky for Tamil Nadu
Saturday evening, Ditwah sat 190 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 300 km from Puducherry, 400 km south of Chennai – moving north-northwest at 7-10 kmph. IMD’s orange message: It’ll hug the coast, peaking winds at 60-70 kmph Sunday, with 20 cm rain possible in spots. No big gusts inland, but enough to topple weak roofs, snap lines, and swamp banana fields.
Tamil Nadu’s south and delta – from Ramanathapuram to Thanjavur – face red alerts for very heavy rain Saturday-Sunday. Chennai gets orange: Heavy showers, maybe urban floods. Andhra’s Nellore and Prakasam too, with rain till December 1. “Stay inside, no sea trips,” IMD’s S. Stella warned.
Puducherry shut schools Saturday, raised port signals. High tides lashed coasts, boats rocked. In Chennai, 54 flights canceled, rails on watch. “We’re not taking chances – last month’s Cyclone Senyar taught us,” said a Villupuram fisher.
Tamil Nadu Gears Up: Evacuations, Teams, and Helping Stranded Folks
CM Stalin reviewed plans Friday, ordering all hands – revenue, police, health – to sync up. “Safety first – we’ve prepped shelters, boats, and meds,” he said. 150 NDRF from Chennai headed to Villupuram; 30 TN Disaster teams in Thanjavur. Low-lying evacuations started in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam – 500 families moved already.
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin visited Chennai’s control room Saturday, pushing for quick fixes. Schools closed in 10 districts; fishermen warned off seas. Railways set war rooms; flights to Colombo halted, stranding 300 Indians – IAF evac flights start 5 AM Sunday.
In delta spots, rain already pounded – Thoothukudi waterlogged, roads slick. “We’ve stocked 1,000 shelters, generators ready,” said Thanjavur Collector Priyanka Pankajam. Folks like fisherman Raju in Nagapattinam: “Pulled boats in, hope it passes quick – families waiting.”
Shared Pain, Shared Strength: India-Sri Lanka Ties in Crisis
This storm hits close – Sri Lanka’s Tamils share roots with Tamil Nadu’s, and trade links mean one hurt affects both. India’s aid – from rice packs to choppers – echoes past helps like during 2004 tsunami. “Neighbors in need, neighbors indeed,” Modi said.
For Sri Lankans, recovery’s long: Rebuild homes, fight outbreaks, replant fields. Irrigation official Sakura Dilthara: “Floods this bad? Unheard of – we need better warnings.” In Tamil Nadu, it’s a test run – if preps hold, fewer tears.
As Ditwah creeps closer, prayers mix with plans. Sunday could bring downpours, but with teams in place, hope flickers brighter than the storm clouds.
FAQs: Your Questions on Cyclone Ditwah and Its Threat to Tamil Nadu Answered
Q1: What is Cyclone Ditwah, and how did it form?
A: Cyclone Ditwah is a cyclonic storm – the fourth in the 2025 North Indian Ocean season – named by Yemen. It started as a low-pressure area on November 26 off Sri Lanka’s southeast coast, where warm seas (over 30°C) and low winds helped clouds spin up fast. By November 27, IMD tracked it as a depression, then a storm with 80 kmph gusts. It hit Sri Lanka’s east, weakening over land but pushing heavy rain inland. Now, it’s over the southwest Bay of Bengal, moving north-northwest at 7-10 kmph toward India’s coast.
Q2: How bad is the damage in Sri Lanka, and what’s the latest death toll?
A: It’s devastating – at least 123 dead, 130 missing as of Saturday morning, from floods and landslides. Over 770,000 affected, 100,000 in 195 shelters, 15,000 homes damaged. Eastern hills like Badulla saw landslides kill dozens; Colombo suburbs flooded deep. Power out for 500,000, roads and rails blocked, airport delayed. President Dissanayake declared emergency Friday for quick rescues. Aid from India (20 tons food/meds), Pakistan (ship supplies), US ($2M) flowing in. Red Cross warns of water shortages and disease in camps.
Q3: Is Cyclone Ditwah heading to Tamil Nadu, and when will it hit?
A: Yes, but weakened – no full landfall, just skimming parallel to the coast. As of 5:30 PM Saturday, it’s 190 km south-southeast of Karaikal, 400 km south of Chennai. IMD says it’ll reach near north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-south Andhra Pradesh by early Sunday (November 30). Expect it closest (25-50 km offshore) Sunday evening, then pull away as a depression. Winds 50-70 kmph, but rain’s the big worry – 20 cm possible in spots.
Q4: What weather impacts are expected in Tamil Nadu and nearby areas?
A: Heavy to very heavy rain Saturday-Sunday in south and delta districts (Ramanathapuram to Thanjavur) – red alerts there. Orange for Chennai: Heavy showers, possible urban floods. Andhra’s Nellore-Prakasam get it till December 1. Rough seas, high tides (up to 2m), gusts snapping lines or downing weak roofs. Crops like banana, paddy at risk; thatched homes too. Fishermen: Stay ashore. Overall, no major wind damage, but flooding could snarl roads, power.
Q5: How is Tamil Nadu preparing, and what safety steps should people take?
A: Full gear-up: CM Stalin reviewed with collectors – 150 NDRF in Villupuram, 30 TN teams in Thanjavur, shelters for 1,000+ ready with gensets. Schools shut in 10 districts, evacuations started in low areas like Cuddalore (500 families moved). Railways, flights on alert – 54 Chennai flights canceled, IAF evac for 300 stranded in Colombo from 5 AM Sunday. Stay indoors, avoid coasts; check IMD app for updates. If flooded, head to high ground or camps. Stock water, torches, meds.
Q6: How is India helping Sri Lanka, and why does it matter?
A: Under “Operation Sagar Bandhu,” two IAF planes brought 20 tons rice, meds, blankets, plus 80 NDRF with choppers and boats to Colombo. PM Modi offered more; a warship donated rations. It matters ’cause shared coasts mean shared risks – Tamil links, trade (tea, gems). Past aid like 2004 tsunami built trust. Now, with Ditwah crossing, India’s preps help both sides learn fast.
Q7: Will this cyclone get stronger, or is climate change making them worse?
A: Unlikely to strengthen much – dry air and land friction weakened it over Sri Lanka. But rain bands could intensify overnight. Climate? Warmer seas fuel fiercer storms, more rain – experts like IMD’s Stella say events like this are “more frequent now.” Sri Lanka’s Irrigation Dept calls it “unprecedented.” Long-term: Better seawalls, early warnings key for both nations.