Cyclone Ditwah: Massive Destruction, Rising Death Toll, and Widespread Flooding

Cyclone Ditwah: Massive Destruction, Rising Death Toll, and Widespread Flooding

- Posted by Aare Keerthi

                                            

Overview

Cyclone Ditwah is a tropical cyclone that formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal in late November 2025. The name “Ditwah” was contributed by Yemen. The system originated as a deep depression before intensifying into a cyclonic storm and moving toward the coasts of Sri Lanka and southern India.

Path, Movement & Weather Details

• By November 27, 2025, the storm was positioned near 6.9°N, 81.9°E, approximately 90 km south-southeast of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka and around 700 km south-southeast of Chennai.

• The cyclone moved north-northwest, first hitting Sri Lanka with intense rainfall and strong winds before approaching the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.

• Meteorological authorities issued red and orange alerts for multiple coastal districts due to the risk of extremely heavy rainfall, rough seas, and wind speeds capable of causing significant damage.

• As it travelled along the coast, the cyclone gradually weakened into a deep depression but continued to bring heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and stormy seas.

Impact Analysis

Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka experienced the most severe devastation from Cyclone Ditwah. Torrential rainfall triggered widespread floods, landslides, and destruction of infrastructure across multiple districts.

• The death toll rose dramatically, with hundreds of people confirmed dead and many more missing.

• Large numbers of residents were displaced as homes were washed away or buried by landslides. Emergency rescue teams, military units, and relief workers undertook massive evacuation and relief operations.

• Damage to roads, bridges, and essential facilities disrupted transportation and communication across the island.

Tamil Nadu, India

• Northern coastal districts experienced heavy rainfall, waterlogging, power outages, and wind-related disruptions.

• Several rain-related fatalities were reported due to incidents such as wall collapses and electrocution.

• Agricultural regions, particularly paddy-growing delta areas, faced severe crop loss as fields were submerged for extended periods.

• Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea due to extremely rough conditions. Schools and colleges remained closed in many districts.

Andhra Pradesh & Puducherry

• Coastal Andhra received heavy to very heavy rainfall along with squally winds.

• Authorities activated disaster-management teams, evacuated vulnerable coastal communities, and closed beaches to prevent accidents.

• Low-lying regions faced flooding, prompting relief camps and emergency shelters to be set up.

Why Cyclone Ditwah Stands Out

• Ditwah formed shortly after another rare storm in the region, marking an unusual back-to-back cyclonic activity pattern in the Bay of Bengal.

• Meteorologists consider it a possible indicator of changing climate behaviour, rising ocean temperatures, and increasing cyclone intensity in the Indian Ocean basin.

• The extraordinary humanitarian impact—especially in Sri Lanka—highlighted the need for improved early warning systems, robust disaster response strategies, and better infrastructure resilience in vulnerable coastal regions.