Cyclonic Storm Ditwah continued to weaken sharply as it travelled parallel to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coastline, easing the heavy-rainfall threat for Chennai and the northern districts on Monday. The system, officially classified by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as a Deep Depression (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah), did not make landfall and remained over the southwest Bay of Bengal through the night.
Doppler radar observations from Chennai and Karaikal showed the storm’s convective bands fading steadily, with the centre of the Deep Depression holding a distance of around 90 km from Chennai and Puducherry at midnight. With its intensity dropping further, the IMD said the system would weaken into a Depression and later a well-marked low-pressure area, marking the end of the severe weather phase for northern Tamil Nadu.
While intermittent heavy showers lashed the delta districts and parts of north Tamil Nadu through Sunday night, the overall intensity has reduced. Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavier spells in Tiruvallur, is likely through the day. Chennai is expected to remain cloudy with occasional rain and thunder.
KEY UPDATES
Deep Depression weakens; rain threat reduces for North TN
The IMD has confirmed a sharp reduction in rainfall risk for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu.
Rainfall recorded in the 24 hours ending Sunday morning showed strong activity across the delta:
- Karaikal – 19 cm
- Sembanarkovil (Mayiladuthurai) – 17 cm
- Nagapattinam & Mayiladuthurai – 15 cm each
- Sirkazhi, Tiruvarur – 14 cm
- Thangachimadam, Thondi, Tirupoondi – 13 cm
- Kodiyakarai, Vedaranyam, Nannilam, Sethiyathoppu – 12 cm
Light to moderate rain may continue in parts of Tamil Nadu until December 6.
Fishermen advisory continues; strong winds offshore
Squally winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are still likely over the Gulf of Mannar, the Comorin area and the southwest Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised to avoid these waters until conditions stabilise.
Sri Lanka toll rises sharply: 334 dead, 370 missing
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported a severe escalation in casualties linked to landslides and flooding triggered by Ditwah. According to figures published by the Daily Mirror, at least 334 people have died, while 370 remain missing.
District-wise tolls:
- Kandy: 88 deaths, 150 missing
- Badulla: 71 deaths
- Nuwara Eliya: 68 deaths
- Matale: 23 deaths
The disaster has impacted 1,118,929 people from 309,607 families nationwide. Landslides, washed-out bridges and damaged access routes continue to obstruct relief operations.
IAF airlifts 335 Indians from Sri Lanka; large-scale rescue ops intensify
The Indian Air Force has expanded its humanitarian operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu, airlifting 335 Indian citizens from Sri Lanka to Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night.
Using Mi-17V5 helicopters, Garud commandos and specialised medical teams, the IAF reached isolated landslide-hit zones in the Kotmale region, where road access remains cut off.
Operations included:
- Evacuation of 45 stranded civilians, including 6 critical patients and 4 infants
- Deployment of 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel to support relief efforts
- Delivery of emergency supplies and induction of the Bhishm medical capsule
- Retrieval of six bodies, including four children, from landslide-hit sites
- Evacuation of over 400 Indian nationals until 8 pm
Further rescue missions are planned based on weather conditions.
The Indian High Commission has set up a WhatsApp help desk at +94 773727832 for stranded citizens.
Tamil Nadu impact: 3 deaths, farmland hit
- Tamil Nadu has recorded three rain-related fatalities since Saturday evening; two wall-collapse deaths in Tuticorin and Thanjavur, and an electrocution in Mayiladuthurai.
- State Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said 149 livestock have died and 57,000 hectares of farmland have been affected in the delta districts.
- Thirty-eight disaster response teams, including NDRF and SDRF units, remain on standby.
Southern Railway activates cyclone SOPs
Southern Railway said it is implementing its cyclone-preparedness protocols across Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli divisions, with continuous monitoring of tracks, overhead equipment and station infrastructure.
Why the name ‘Ditwah’?
Suggested by Yemen, the name ‘Ditwah’ refers to Detwah Lagoon, a large saline lagoon on the northwest coast of Socotra.