Cyclone Ditwah weakened into a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and continued moving northwards at 10 kmph, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting further weakening into a depression by Monday noon.
According to the IMD, the centre of the deep depression was located about 50 km from the north Tamil Nadu&ndash;Puducherry coasts in an update released at 2 a.m. 
The agency had earlier issued a red category warning for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts.
Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said on Sunday that three people had died in rain-related incidents triggered by the weather system.
The IMD said the depression was situated at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday about 90 km south-southeast of Chennai, 90 km east-southeast of Puducherry, 110 km east-northeast of Cuddalore and 180 km north-northeast of Karaikal.
The system is expected to track nearly northwards along the Tamil Nadu&ndash;Puducherry coastline and weaken further by Monday noon. 
By Monday morning, it is likely to remain positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal at a minimum distance of about 30 km from the coast.
As the system weakens, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Vellore and Ranipet districts. 
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai predicted light to moderate rain at a few locations across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, with possible thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas.
Gale winds of 60&ndash;70 kmph, with gusts up to 80 kmph, are expected over north coastal Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry&ndash;Karaikal region. 
Squally winds of 55&ndash;65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, may prevail over adjacent coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
South coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Rayalaseema region are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places, with isolated heavy showers. 
Similar conditions are forecast for north coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday, while Odisha may witness widespread light to moderate rain and isolated heavy rainfall in its southern districts.
Sri Lanka&rsquo;s disaster agency reported on Sunday that the death toll from floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah climbed to 334, with nearly 400 people missing and more than 1.3 million affected.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said the final group of stranded Indian passengers had been evacuated under Operation Sagar Bandhu at Colombo&rsquo;s Bandaranaike International Airport. 
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said another Indian Air Force aircraft arrived in Colombo on Sunday carrying disaster-response supplies under the operations.
While several Tamil Nadu districts had earlier announced school and college closures, as of December 1 there is no confirmed statewide update. 
Students have been advised to contact their institutions directly. 
In Puducherry, however, all private and government-aided institutions across its four regions will remain closed on Monday, Minister A. Namassivayam announced.

Dark storm clouds over Tamil Nadu coastal shoreline

Ditwah weakens but coastal Tamil Nadu braces for more rain, wind and disruptions

Cyclone Ditwah Weakens, Heavy Rain To Persist

Ditwah weakens but coastal Tamil Nadu braces for more rain, wind and disruptions

December 1, 2025 | 10:51 IST