Late in the morning of November 25, India Meteorological Department satellite imageries, including surface observations from Sri Lanka and coastal stations of Tamil Nadu, indicated that a depression had formed over Sri Lanka in southwest Bay of Bengal. The depression remained nearly stationary and intensified into a deep depression three hours later. The IMD posted a cyclone watch for Tamil Nadu region of India noting that the system was likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Nagapattinam by tomorrow night. Very late in the day the IMD mentioned that the deep depression would intensify, however the cyclone watch for Tamil Nadu coast was lowered (or not mentioned) in the bulletin issued. Early on November 26, the deep depression close to Tamil Nadu coast intensified into a cyclonic storm and was named "Nisha". It crossed the coast close to the north of Karaikal between 0530 and 0630 hours IST on November 27 and Karaikal reported 35 knots (65 km/hr) at the time of landfall. On November 28, JTWC issued their final warning. Nisha headed northwest towards south Karnataka after making landfall in Tamil Nadu.