Details on Cyclone Ditwah (November 2025)
Overview
Cyclone Ditwah was a deadly tropical cyclone that formed in the North Indian Ocean during the 2025 season, marking the fourth named storm and causing widespread devastation across Sri Lanka before moving toward southern India. Named by Yemen (referring to Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island), it intensified rapidly amid favorable conditions like high sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, leading to torrential rains, flooding, and landslides. The cyclone highlighted Sri Lanka’s vulnerability during its northeast monsoon, with rainfall exceeding 200mm in central and northern areas— the most widespread in a decade. It dissipated by late November 29 but left lingering showers into early December.
Formation and Path
- Formation: Tracked as a depression on November 26, 2025, by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it became a deep depression on November 27 and a cyclonic storm (Ditwah) by 06:00 UTC that day.
- Path and Intensity: Centered over coastal Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, it moved north at 7 km/h, brushing Sri Lanka’s eastern coast near Trincomalee on November 28. Peak winds reached 65 km/h (35 knots), with a minimum central pressure of 1003 hPa. It churned northwest toward India’s Tamil Nadu coast (e.g., 430 km south of Chennai by November 29), prompting red alerts in districts like Nagapattinam and Puducherry. Dissipation occurred within 24 hours due to dry air and increasing wind shear (35–45 km/h), though models suggested brief reintensification.
- Duration: Active November 26–29, 2025; exited Sri Lanka’s influence by November 30.
Impacts
Ditwah’s heavy rains (up to 300mm in hills) triggered Sri Lanka’s worst natural disaster since 2017, affecting 20 of 25 districts and over 500,000 people. Floods submerged urban areas, while landslides buried rural villages, especially in tea estates.
| Category | Details | Key Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Casualties | Floods, landslides, and storm surges; many stranded in remote areas. | 153 deaths; 191 missing; 40+ injured |
| Displacement & Damage | 108,000+ in 800+ relief centers; homes, crops, and infrastructure ruined. | 20,000+ homes destroyed; 200,000+ affected; roads/bridges blocked in 50+ villages |
| Economic/Infra | Airports disrupted (15 flights diverted); power/telecom outages; tea/rice crops lost. | LKR 50-70 billion estimated in Badulla alone; ports closed in Galle/Trincomalee |
| Affected Regions | Central (Kandy, Badulla: landslides); Western (Colombo: urban floods); Eastern (Trincomalee: surge); Southern (Galle: winds). | 20 districts; northern tip (Jaffna) minimally impacted |
In India, it brought heavy rains to Tamil Nadu (delta/northern coastal districts), with NDRF teams on standby for localized flooding; no major casualties reported as of November 30.
Response and Relief
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on November 29, deploying 20,500+ troops for rescues. International aid focused on essentials: food, tents, and equipment. India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu led with airlifts (21+ tons via C-130J/IL-76) and naval support (INS Vikrant helicopters rescued dozens), plus 80+ NDRF personnel. Other contributors: Pakistan (rations/medicines), USA (USD 2M), Maldives (supplies). UN OCHA appealed for USD 200M; Red Cross noted swelling waters delaying access. Rains eased by November 30, aiding evacuations, but recovery (e.g., housing, tea revival) is projected at 1-5 years.
For live tracking, refer to IMD or Zoom Earth; situation evolving with receding floods revealing more damage.