Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has unleashed severe destruction across Sri Lanka, with Vavuniya recording 358.5 mm and Trincomalee 261.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours.

Floods and landslides have killed at least 40 people, while thousands have been displaced and over 400 houses damaged.

The storm, now located northwest of Batticaloa and 540 km south of Chennai, is moving slowly north-northwest and will exit Sri Lanka by early tomorrow.

Though warm sea waters support its intensity, rising wind shear will weaken the system as it enters the Palk Strait and Southwest Bay of Bengal.

Heavy to very heavy rain is expected across Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka between 29 November and 2 December.