Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: After delta, south coastal districts, Ditwah to batter north T.N.

In view of Cyclone Ditwah bearing down on Tamil Nadu, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness measures on Saturday to ensure minimum disruption to rail services and passenger safety.

The coastal areas expected to be hit by the impending cyclone fall mainly under the Southern Railway zone.

“A dedicated network of helplines and passenger-assistance desks must be established to support travellers facing uncertainties due to cancellations or rerouting,” a press statement from the Railway Ministry said.

It added that Mr. Vaishnaw has reaffirmed the commitment of the Indian Railways to public safety.

The Minister has instructed the officials concerned to ensure that war rooms are activated at the divisional, zonal and Railway Board levels to monitor the situation and remain alert for any extreme scenario.

“He has also asked railway officials to coordinate with civil-administration authorities and proactively communicate with passengers until normalcy is restored,” the statement said. 

PTI

Karaikal (19 cm), Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur (11 cm each) Cuddalore (10 cm), Mayiladuthurai (15 cm) and Pamban (9cm) were among the places that received heavy rainfall till 5.30 a.m. today. 

-K. Lakshmi

Water discharge from Chennai’s key reservoirs was scaled down at 6 a.m. on Sunday. The outflow from the Red Hills reservoir has been reduced from 1,500 cusecs to 1,000 cusecs, while the Chembarambakkam reservoir reduced its discharge from 3,000 cusecs to 2,250 cusecs. Both reservoirs recorded rainfall of 2 cm till 6 a.m.

-K. Lakshmi

India intensified humanitarian assistance and disaster response under Operation Sagar Bandhu on Saturday (November 29, 2025) for Sri Lanka as the island nation continued to deal with the aftermath of devastating Cyclone Ditwah which has left at least 159 persons dead. India has deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri to assist the affected families and sent two large cargo aircraft carrying 21 tonnes of relief materials to Colombo.

In addition to the two ships, INS Sukanya left Vishakhapatnam with relief material and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon, said official sources. High Commission of India in Colombo is helping stranded Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport after flights were cancelled. They are being provided food, water and other assistance by Commission’s officials. 

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 80 rescuers and four trained canines, led byP. K. Tiwary, Commandant, 8th Battalion, flew out from the Hindon Air Force Station early on Saturday on an Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft bound for Colombo. These teams are equipped with inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, advanced communication gear, first-aid kits, and other essential rescue equipment to conduct search, rescue and humanitarian relief operations in affected areas of Sri Lanka. Indian Navy helicopters rescued several persons from flood-affected areas on Saturday, said the official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry. 

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Cyclone Ditwah moved at a speed of 5 kmph and lay centred over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts at 2.30 a.m. on Sunday, about 160 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 250 km south of Chennai.

It is very likely to move nearly northwards parallel to North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts during next 24 hours. The cyclone will be centered over southwest Bay of Bengal within 50 km from the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coastline by Sunday morning.