Air India, IndiGo Issue Advisories As Cyclone Ditwah Batters Southern Routes

Last Updated:November 29, 2025, 9:50 PM IST

Cyclone Ditwah disrupts flights in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Puducherry, and Sri Lanka. Air India and IndiGo issue advisories as IMD warns of heavy rain.

Air India on Saturday issued an advisory warning passengers that heavy rain and strong winds from Cyclone Ditwah could affect flights operating to and from Chennai and other southern cities.

The airline advised travelers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. Passengers can do so online or contact Air India’s 24×7 call centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 for assistance.

No information was provided about flight cancellations at this stage, but passengers are urged to monitor updates closely as the cyclone approaches.

IndiGo also issued a travel advisory warning passengers that Cyclone Ditwah could disrupt flights to and from several destinations in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu as the storm continues to move westwards.

In a statement posted on X, the airline said the cyclone’s rainfall and wind patterns are now affecting parts of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, and as a result, flights operating to and from Colombo, Jaffna, Puducherry, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai and Madurai may face disruptions.

IndiGo said its teams are closely monitoring the situation to provide passengers with the latest updates. Travellers have been advised to check their flight status on the airline’s website or mobile app before heading to the airport to better plan their journeys.

Chennai Airport officials on Saturday reported that more than 35 ATR flights, including both arrivals and departures, have been cancelled today due to operational disruptions.

According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a total of 36 domestic flights and 11 international flights are scheduled to be cancelled on Sunday as well, with passengers advised to check flight status and coordinate with their airlines before traveling to the airport.

As a precaution against the cyclonic storm and expected heavy rainfall in the southern and central districts, 16 flights from Chennai to Thoothukudi, Madurai and Trichy have been cancelled. A similar number of return flights to Chennai from these cities were also suspended. In addition, 22 flights from Madurai, Trichy and Puducherry to Bengaluru and Hyderabad were called off.

With the situation worsening, authorities reported that all small aircraft operations from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Thoothukudi, and nearby airports will remain suspended from Sunday morning until night.

Chennai Airport authorities have urged all passengers to get in touch with their respective airlines, verify their flight status, and reschedule their travel plans if required.

The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a red alert in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwah approaches closer to the coastal areas.

IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rain at isolated spots, likely over Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu districts, and the Puducherry-Karaikal region. Strong winds and rainfall have already hit the coastal areas of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

(With inputs from agencies)

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