The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised alarms for India's eastern coastline, announcing that a new cyclonic storm, to be named Cyclone Ditwah, is rapidly developing over the Bay of Bengal. This comes close on the heels of Cyclone Senyar moving away from the Indian coast.
Storm Path and Potential Impact
According to the latest bulletin issued on 27th November 2025, the weather system was consolidating over the southwest Bay of Bengal, adjacent areas of southeast Sri Lanka, and the Equatorial Indian Ocean. The IMD has stated that the deep depression is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours.
The department forecasts that the developing storm could potentially impact the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. The system is predicted to move north-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and the Sri Lankan coastline towards these regions over the subsequent 48 hours.
What's in a Name: The Meaning of 'Ditwah'
Once it achieves cyclonic storm intensity, the system will be officially designated as Cyclone Ditwah. This name was suggested by Yemen and holds a specific ecological significance. It refers to the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island, which is renowned for its unique and distinct coastal ecosystem.
The IMD classifies a low-pressure system as a cyclonic storm when its maximum sustained three-minute surface winds reach 34 knots or more.
Official Alerts and Warnings
In response to the imminent threat, the IMD has issued color-coded alerts for several districts in Tamil Nadu for November 27, 28, and 29. Districts including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvallur, and Thanjavur have been placed under yellow and orange alerts, signaling authorities and residents to be prepared for severe weather conditions.
The IMD's social media update on platform X provided precise coordinates, noting the system was centered near latitude 6.3°N and longitude 82.4°E, approximately 150 km east of Hambantota, Sri Lanka, and 170 km south-southeast of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest official warnings from the IMD and local disaster management authorities and to take all necessary precautions.
