Chennai airport authorities on Saturday announced that 54 flights have been canceled in various districts of Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditvaha, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall in the southern and central regions.
As a precautionary measure, 16 flights from Chennai to Thoothukudi, Madurai and Trichy, as well as 16 return flights from these cities to Chennai were suspended. In comparison, 22 flights from Madurai, Trichy and Puducherry to Bengaluru and Hyderabad were also cancelled.
Due to continued worsening of weather conditions, officials further said that all small aircraft operations at airports in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Thoothukudi and surrounding areas will remain suspended from Sunday morning till night.
300 Indian passengers stranded in Colombo
Around 300 passengers, including around 150 Tamils, traveling from Dubai to India via Sri Lanka are stranded at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport for the last three days due to cancellation of several flights to Chennai due to Cyclone Ditvaha, PTI reported.
Stranded passengers claim they have been left without adequate food, water or basic amenities as the severe weather continues to disrupt airport operations.
Taking cognizance of the distress of the stranded people, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin directed the Secretary of the Public Department to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Colombo.
Officials have held discussions with Indian High Commission officials to ensure the safe return of Tamils ​​stranded in Sri Lanka. The government has also sought timely assistance for passengers facing difficulty at the airport.
Indigo issued travel advisory
In a post on X, IndiGo said, “As Cyclone Ditvaah moves westwards, its associated rainfall and wind pattern is now affecting Sri Lanka and parts of Tamil Nadu. As a result, flights originating from Colombo, Jaffna, Pondicherry, Tuticorin, Trichy, Chennai and Madurai may experience disruption.”
Sri Lanka declares ‘state of emergency’
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency across the island in view of the emergency situation arising due to the devastation caused by the floods.
A state of emergency has been declared for the entire island, according to an official gazette issued Friday and Saturday.
In the all-party meeting on Friday, opposition leaders demanded declaration of emergency. The doctors’ trade union stressed the need to impose a state of emergency in a letter addressed to Dissanayake.
It is expected that the rules will speed up relief coordination and rescue operations.
India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu
Meanwhile, India has expanded its humanitarian reach to Sri Lanka, which has been severely impacted by Cyclone Ditvaha. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying about 12 tonnes of relief material landed in Colombo on Saturday as part of the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said another Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 has arrived in Colombo as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, at a time when the island nation is dealing with the growing impact of Cyclone Ditvaah.
Sharing updates on the issue, Jaishankar said the aircraft arrived with “9 tonnes of relief material” and “2 urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel”. He also wrote that “A total of about 27 tonnes of relief material was delivered by air and sea. More to come!”
The Indian Air Force said in a post late Thursday that “Operation Sagar Bandhu” had been activated after the scale of the destruction became clear. The Indian Air Force said that “During the night of 28/29 November 2025, a C-130 and an IL-76 were flown from Hindon, carrying 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of specialized equipment to Colombo, which was a vital part of the initial emergency response.
The Air Force said the consignment includes critical rations and essential stores needed for immediate humanitarian assistance in the most affected districts. Officials said the rapid mobilization is aimed at strengthening Sri Lankan agencies working to stabilize affected areas and restore vital services.
Heavy rain occurred in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Ditvaah, which entered the open sea while moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast, caused rainfall in the coastal areas and Cauvery delta districts on Saturday.
A tourist van got stuck in a stranded area near a canal in Ramanathapuram district. However, the occupants of the car were saved as they managed to get out through the back door.
Citing strong winds and heavy rains, the district administration has warned residents to avoid going out unless necessary. Tourists have also been advised to avoid Dhanushkodi, located on the south-eastern tip of Pamban island near Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, as a safety measure.
Meanwhile, several areas across the state including Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimarudur, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Thiruvaiyaru, Pattukottai, Cuddalore and parts of Chennai have received intense rainfall.
(with inputs from agencies)
