Cyclone Ditwah Brings Heavy Rain to Tamil Nadu; School Shutdowns Announced Across Delta

Cyclone Ditwah continued to lash the Tamil Nadu coastline on Saturday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and high tidal conditions across several coastal and Cauvery delta districts. The system, currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining northern Sri Lanka, has triggered widespread disruption, prompting authorities to close schools in vulnerable regions.

🚨 Coastal Regions Hit Hard

Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore and parts of Chennai witnessed intense rainfall from early morning.
In Ramanathapuram, a tourist van was stranded near a canal after the area became waterlogged. Fortunately, all passengers managed to escape safely through the rear door.

District administrations have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid non-essential travel as strong gales and heavy downpour continue.

⚠️ Tourist Restrictions Imposed

Tourists have been advised not to visit Dhanushkodi, the fragile stretch near Pamban Island, due to rough sea conditions. The area, which was devastated by the infamous 1964 Rameswaram cyclone, remains highly vulnerable during severe weather.

📍 IMD Cyclone Position Update

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as of 5:30 AM, Cyclone Ditwah:

• Lies 190 km south-southeast of Karaikal
• 300 km south-southeast of Puducherry
• 400 km south of Chennai

The storm is moving north-northwest at 8 km/h and is expected to reach the southwest Bay of Bengal near North Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–South Andhra Pradesh coast by early November 30.

Private weather bloggers confirm that the cyclone’s trajectory is unchanged and running parallel to the Tamil Nadu coastline, likely increasing rainfall over Chennai, Cuddalore and Puducherry by tonight.

🌊 Meaning of Cyclone Name ‘Ditwah’

The name Ditwah—suggested by Yemen—refers to Detwah Lagoon, a well-known saline lagoon on Yemen’s Socotra Island.

With rain intensifying across the delta, authorities continue to monitor the storm closely as Tamil Nadu braces for more rough weather.