Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu government seeks additional NDRF teams, support from armed forces

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Friday (November 28, 2025), said that the State is prepared to face cyclonic storm Ditwah, as south Tamil Nadu and the Cauvery delta region brace for heavy rains. The State government has sought additional NDRF teams and contingency support from the armed forces.

A total of 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 16 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been positioned in 16 districts — Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.

Tamil Nadu’s requests

The Tamil Nadu government has requested for deploying additional NDRF teams from neighbouring States for efficient handling of the natural disaster and has further requested for contingency support from the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Coast Guard, an official release said.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting in the State Emergency Operations Centre in Chennai, Mr. Stalin said: “There is a warning for heavy rains in southern parts and in delta region on November 29 (Saturday) and November 30 (Sunday). They have issued a red alert. We held a review with Collectors of the districts for which red alert has been issued.”

Owing to strong winds, a tree fell on Rameswaram road near Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district on November 28, 2025
| Photo Credit:
L. Balachandar

Impact in Chennai

“We have instructed to ensure that power lines do not snap and to prevent any accidents,” Mr. Stalin said. To a query on if there would be any impact in Chennai, the Chief Minister said: “Chennai would have an impact. They say there will be heavy rains in Chennai too.”

Asked about precautionary measures, he said: “Arrangements have been made to set up relief camps wherever necessary and for distributing food. Steps have been made to shift people living in low-lying areas when water is released,” Mr. Stalin said. Replying to a query of deputing of Ministers, if any, he said: “There are Ministers in-charge for districts and they are monitoring.”

Real-time monitoring of rain-related developments by officials is underway at the Integrated Command Centre in the Ripon Building in Chennai on November 28, 2025
| Photo Credit:
B. Velankanni Raj

When referred to criticism made by AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami that people in Cauvery delta region were being deceived, Mr. Stalin said: “Let him not deceive them. He will keep claiming so all the time. It is not so. No need to reply to his claim.” Asked if the government was prepared to face the cyclone, Mr. Stalin replied in the affirmative.

Stalin’s call for DMK functionaries

Mr. Stalin, who is also the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, urged his party office-bearers and functionaries at various levels to remain active and extend support to the people in view of Cyclone Ditwah.

In a statement, Mr. Stalin said as part of the preparatory measures for Cyclone Ditwah, the Tamil Nadu government had held several review meetings over the past two days. All precautionary measures had been put in place, and the entire administrative machinery had been placed on high alert. Instructions had been issued to Ministers, District Collectors, and Superintendents of Police to stay vigilant.

Rough sea is seen due to heavy winds at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district on November 28, 2025
| Photo Credit:
L. Balachandar

“I urge DMK cadres to extend all possible support to the people. The district secretaries of the party in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi should coordinate with other office-bearers and functionaries at various levels to remain fully prepared. Councillors should remain in their wards and assist the people,” he said.

The party cadres should work with volunteers and NGOs at the ground level to assist people in need and make arrangements to procure essential items such as rice, pulses, oil, milk, and drinking water. Party functionaries should monitor the availability of essential commodities and ensure that necessary arrangements are in place, he added.

Published – November 28, 2025 05:22 pm IST