India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed the formation of a cyclonic storm, named Detwah, over the southwest Bay of Bengal. As of Thursday morning, the system was positioned approximately 700 km south-southeast of Chennai and 90 km south-southeast of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. The cyclone, named by Yemen under the regional naming protocol, is tracking north-northwest and is forecast to intensify marginally before making landfall along the northern Tamil Nadu–Puducherry–south Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of 30 November.
The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts for several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, for 27-29 November, with heavy rainfall and gusty winds anticipated. Fishermen have been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts until further notice.
Limited Impact Expected in North India
In contrast to some early media reports, the IMD has clarified that Cyclone Detwah is not expected to directly affect Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or Delhi-NCR. Any rainfall in these states during the coming days is likely to be associated with separate western disturbances rather than the cyclonic system. Indirect effects, such as a slight drop in temperature and isolated light showers, cannot be ruled out as moisture from the system is pulled northward, but significant disruption in northern India remains unlikely.
Agricultural and Economic Implications
Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have urged farmers to expedite harvesting of standing paddy and take protective measures for stored produce. Standing crops in the delta regions remain vulnerable to waterlogging and wind damage if the cyclone maintains its projected strength at landfall.
Meanwhile, a separate weather system, Cyclone Senyar, which had earlier developed near the Nicobar Islands, has moved away from Indian territory and is now tracking towards Malaysia and Sumatra. Meteorologists have described Senyar’s path through the Malacca Strait as rare for a system of its intensity.
The IMD continues to monitor both systems closely and will issue updated bulletins every three hours as Detwah approaches the coast.
