Key Highlights
- Cyclone Ditwah affected the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast, with wind speeds peaking at 90 kmph and rainfall above 25 cm in some districts.
- The system weakened to a depression by December 2, but storm surges and urban flooding were observed along vulnerable stretches.
- Immediate official advisories called for suspension of all fishing operations and maintenance of extreme caution due to continued rough sea conditions.
Opening Overview
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall impact close to the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline on November 30, 2025, triggering intense meteorological scrutiny across southern India. The focus keyword, Cyclone Ditwah, emerged in weather bulletins as the system formed over the Bay of Bengal, rapidly intensifying with speeds reaching 70–90 kmph before weakening to a depression. Over two days, Cyclone Ditwah prompted rare orange and red warnings as relentless rain hit Nagapattinam, Karaikal, and several coastal districts, submerging roadways and forcing the closure of Chennai’s educational institutions.
The broader narrative has centered on Cyclone Ditwah’s trajectory, its proximity to the vulnerable Tamil Nadu–Puducherry stretch, and the dynamic risk management challenge for government agencies. Analysis of official data reveals that the cyclone’s path, rainfall accumulation, and wind gust profiles matched some of the most significant regional events in recent years. The keywords Cyclone Ditwah and Bay of Bengal cyclone have dominated disaster management briefings, reflecting the urgency for widespread preparedness as the storm traversed the region.
The Depression (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah) over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of westcentral Bay of Bengal, North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & South Andhra Pradesh coasts moved slowly south-southwestwards with the speed of 3 kmph during past 6 hours and lay… pic.twitter.com/mc3nOWFnlE
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 2, 2025
Cyclone Ditwah’s Development and Path
- Cyclone Ditwah intensified over the southwest Bay of Bengal on November 29, reaching land proximity near Tamil Nadu–Puducherry by early November 30.
- The system initially moved north-northwestwards at 8 kmph, remaining within 25–80 km of the coastline before weakening.
- Doppler Weather Radar tracked its transition from a cyclonic storm to a depression over 24–36 hours.
Cyclone Ditwah’s trajectory was shaped by upper air circulations and pressure zones stretching from Sri Lanka to India. Official coordinates placed the cyclone as close as 25 km from the coastline of northern Tamil Nadu by the evening of November 30, with peak rainfall and wind gusts observed contemporaneously. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued continuous updates, highlighting the system’s slow movement and the risk of repeated rain bands crossing coastal towns.
The official rainfall chart below illustrates the spatial impact:
| Location | District | Rainfall (cm, 24h, 0830 IST, Nov 29) |
|---|---|---|
| Kodiayakarai | Nagapattinam | 25 |
| Vedaranyam | Nagapattinam | 18 |
| Velankanni | Nagapattinam | 13 |
| Nagapattinam | Nagapattinam | 12 |
| Karaikal | Karaikal | 10 |
The cyclone’s proximity kept large parts of the coastline exposed to high winds and intense rainfall for several hours, raising the risk of flooding, agricultural losses, and structural damage.
Peak Rainfall, Wind Patterns, and Marine Advisories
- Rainfall exceeded 25 cm in a single day in Nagapattinam’s Kodiayakarai, with several areas reporting over 10 cm.
- Gale winds along the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast reached 70–80 kmph, gusting up to 90 kmph at the storm’s peak.
- Marine advisories called for full suspension of fishing and navigation till December 2.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was concentrated between November 29 and December 1, with the IMD noting “localized flooding of roads and waterlogging in low-lying urban areas.” Storm surges of 0.5–1.5 m above the astronomical tide inundated several coastal stretches.
| Region/Coast | Peak Winds (kmph) | Date |
|---|---|---|
| SW Bay of Bengal, N Sri Lanka coasts | 70-80 gusting to 90 | Nov 29-30 |
| North Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts | 70-80 gusting to 90 | Nov 29-30 |
| South Andhra Pradesh coast | 60-70 gusting to 80 | Nov 29-30 |
| Post weakening phase | 45–55 gusting to 65 | Dec 1 |
Marine advisories remained strict, with the IMD mandating the total suspension of fishing operations across impacted coasts, including the Gulf of Mannar and Comorin belt.
Urban Impact: Floods, Closures, and Disaster Management
- Significant urban flooding and waterlogging in Chennai, Nagapattinam, and select Puducherry areas.
- Closure of schools and government advisories on movement and outdoor activities for several days.
- Official warnings advised against all non-essential coastal travel and marine activity until conditions stabilized.
Localized impacts from Cyclone Ditwah included widespread traffic disruption, road closures, and the inundation of major transport corridors. The heavy rainfall and tidal surge caused urban infrastructure failures, necessitating coordinated interventions by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities. Chennai and surrounding municipalities were among the worst affected, registering both infrastructural and daily life disruptions.
The IMD also reportedly triggered color-coded warnings for district officials, alongside real-time mapping of flash flood risks using satellite and Doppler Radar data. Emergency advisories were issued for both urban and rural populations, emphasizing swift movement to safe shelters and avoidance of flood-prone locations.
Agricultural and Coastal Livelihoods: Official Perspective
- The IMD and Ministry of Home Affairs issued advisories for safeguarding crops, livestock, and rural livelihoods across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
- Proactive crop protection measures were recommended for fields vulnerable to excess moisture, including paddy, cotton, groundnut, and banana plantations.
- Cyclone Ditwah underscored the need for ongoing cyclone resilience planning under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).
The impact on agriculture was significant, with experts cautioning about damage due to waterlogging and the physical impact of strong gusts on crops like paddy and bananas. Recommendations included keeping harvested produce dry, draining waterlogged plots, and supporting at-risk crops with mechanical props. Rural advisories extended to fishermen, advising a halt on all marine activity and urging those at sea to return to port immediately.
The mitigation framework deployed by the Government of India through NCRMP was vital in minimizing human casualties, although property damage across vulnerable districts is estimated to be substantial. Coastal disaster planning and early-warning dissemination were credited for rapid response and relatively low loss of life versus previous major cyclones.
Closing Assessment
Cyclone Ditwah emerged as a high-impact event for the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline, with the focus keyword, Cyclone Ditwah, title-contending in its meteorological and disaster-management significance. This storm sequence tested the preparedness of coastal India, illuminating gaps and strengths in current infrastructure, hazard communication, and resilience strategies. The journey from severe storm to weakening depression was accompanied by more than just gusts and gales—it drove home the urgent need for scalable, science-based planning for an increasingly cyclone-prone Bay of Bengal.
As climate variability trends threaten to intensify cyclonic behavior over time, official data and action serve as reminders of both the necessity and the challenge of comprehensive coastal safety. Cyclone Ditwah serves as a live case study, reinforcing the imperative for robust forecasting, timely boots-on-ground response, and the ongoing development of cyclone-adaptive community models across the Indian coastline.
SEO Summary
Cyclone Ditwah, the most recent Bay of Bengal cyclone, battered north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with record rainfall and winds up to 90 kmph. The system weakened to a depression by December 2, but triggered extensive urban flooding, road closures, and agricultural alerts. Detailed official data charts show rain exceeding 25 cm in Nagapattinam and wind advisories for all segments of the coastline. Indian Meteorological Department warnings and NCRMP disaster frameworks enabled rapid, robust response, resulting in a significant but relatively contained event in India’s evolving cyclone history.
