Cyclonic Storm ‘Ditwah’ Weakens into Deep Depression, Skirts North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coast; Heavy Rain Continues

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” (pronounced Dit-wah) has rapidly weakened into a Deep Depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts.

As per the latest National Bulletin No. 41 issued at 1730 hrs IST today, the system is now centred near latitude 11.8°N and longitude 80.6°E — approximately 90 km east of Cuddalore, 130 km northeast of Karaikal, 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 180 km north-northeast of Vedaranniyam and 140 km south-southeast of Chennai. The closest distance of the centre from the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline is only about 80 km.

During the past six hours, the system moved northwards at a slow speed of 5 kmph while continuing its northward journey almost parallel to the coast.

IMD forecasts indicate that the deep depression is very likely to maintain its nearly northward track parallel to the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and further weaken into a depression by the morning of 01 December 2025. By midnight tonight (30 Nov), the centre is expected to be within just 40 km of the coastline, and by tomorrow morning (01 Dec), it may come as close as 20 km before gradually losing intensity over the sea.

Despite the weakening, the system continues to trigger extremely heavy rainfall across coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. Several districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam remain on red/orange alert with rainfall of 20–30 cm recorded in the last 24 hours in many places. Squally winds reaching 50–60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph are lashing the coast, leading to rough to very rough sea conditions.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts till 02 December.

The system is under constant surveillance by Doppler Weather Radars at Chennai and Karaikal, providing real-time tracking and intensity updates every hour.

State disaster response forces, NDRF teams and the Indian Coast Guard remain on high alert. Chennai and neighbouring districts have opened additional relief camps, while schools and colleges will remain closed on 01 December in several coastal districts as a precautionary measure.

Although Ditwah has spared Tamil Nadu a direct landfall as a cyclonic storm, the prolonged proximity to the coast will continue to dump torrential rain for the next 24–36 hours, raising concerns of urban flooding in Chennai and delta regions.

Citizens are advised to stay indoors, avoid waterlogged areas and follow updates from IMD and local authorities