Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu government seeks additional NDRF teams, support from armed forces
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday, November 28, 2025, said that the state is ready to face cyclonic storm Ditwah as southern Tamil Nadu and the Cauvery delta brace for heavy rains. The state government has requested additional NDRF teams and emergency support from the armed forces.
A total of 12 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 16 teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed in 16 districts: Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
Tamil Nadu’s aspirations
The Tamil Nadu government has requested deployment of additional NDRF teams from neighboring states for effective handling of the natural disaster and has also sought emergency support from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, an official statement said.
Speaking to reporters after the review meeting held at the State Emergency Operations Center in Chennai, Mr. Stalin said: “There is a warning for heavy rains in the southern parts and the delta region on November 29 (Saturday) and November 30 (Sunday). They have issued a red alert. We have conducted a review with the Collectors of the districts where the red alert has been issued.”
A tree fell due to strong winds on Rameswaram road near Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district on November 28, 2025 | Photo Credit: L. Balachandar
Impact in Chennai
“We have given instructions to ensure that power lines are not broken and to prevent any accidents,” Mr. Stalin said. To a question on whether there will be any impact on Chennai, the Chief Minister said: “There will be an impact on Chennai. They say there will be heavy rains in Chennai too.”
Asked about precautionary measures, Mr. Stalin said: “Arrangements have been made for setting up relief camps and distributing food wherever necessary. Once water is released, steps have been taken to relocate people living in low-lying areas to other places.” 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 authorities continues at the Integrated Command Center at Ripon Building, headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation 28 November 2025 | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
Referring to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s criticism that the people of the Cauvery delta region are being deceived, Mr. Stalin said, “He should not deceive them. He will always continue to claim this. It is not like that. There is no need to answer his claim.” When asked whether the government was ready to face the cyclone, Mr. Stalin answered in the affirmative.
Stalin’s call to DMK functionaries
Mr. Stalin, who is also the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, appealed to his party’s functionaries and functionaries at various levels to remain active and extend support to the people in the face of Cyclone Ditwah.
As part of the preparedness measures for Cyclone Ditwah, the Tamil Nadu government has held several review meetings in the last two days, Mr. Stalin said in his statement. All precautionary measures were taken and the entire administrative machinery was put on high alert. Instructions have been given to Ministers, District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to be vigilant.
Rough sea is seen due to strong winds at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district on November 28, 2025 | Photo Credit: L. Balachandar
“I urge DMK cadres to give all possible support to the people. The party’s district secretaries in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi should coordinate with other parties. Civil servants at various levels and “In order for officers to remain fully prepared, Council members need to stay in their districts and assist the public,” he said.
Party cadres should work with volunteers and NGOs to help people in need and make arrangements for the supply of basic needs such as rice, pulses, oil, milk and drinking water. He added that party officials should monitor the availability of essential supplies and ensure that necessary arrangements are made.
It was published – 28 November 2025 17:22 IST
