Chennai, December 1, 2025:
Cyclone Ditwah is charging toward India’s southeastern coastline, forcing authorities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry to shut schools, suspend flights, and evacuate tens of thousands as the storm nears landfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Chennai and neighboring coastal districts, warning that Cyclone Ditwah will cross the coast near Mahabalipuram around midnight on November 30. The storm is expected to bring wind speeds over 120 kmph, extremely heavy rainfall up to 250 mm, and storm surges reaching 2 meters, posing significant threats to coastal communities.
More than 50,000 people have already been moved to relief shelters. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 20 specialized teams, while district administrations intensify door-to-door evacuations.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has declared a state emergency and urged the central government for immediate assistance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is overseeing coordination efforts through the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to expedite response measures.
The cyclone has already disrupted operations at Chennai International Airport, where numerous flights have been canceled or diverted. Coastal villages have reported power cuts, and fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea. The Indian Navy remains on standby for high-risk rescue missions.
Climate experts have linked Cyclone Ditwah’s unusual strength to climate change, highlighting a worrying pattern—2025 has already seen three major cyclonic storms along India’s 7,500 km coastline.
The crisis comes as northern India faces its own weather turmoil, with Delhi’s AQI hitting 400, forcing hybrid schooling and compounding nationwide environmental challenges.
Authorities have distributed 1 lakh food kits, but early assessments suggest that damages could exceed ₹5,000 crore if critical infrastructure such as ports and power lines suffer direct impact.
