Col Alok Mathur, SM
At 1300h on 26 Nov 2025, Indian meteorological satellites reported a depression forming up at southeast coast of Sri Lanka in Bay of Bengal. The depression was continuously monitored by Indian Metrological Department (IMD). The depression gradually intensified due to favourable conditions caused by high ocean temperature and low-pressure vertical wind shear. The deep depression by 0100h on 27 Nov, generated in to a violent cyclonic storm. Indian Metrological Department informed the World Metrological Organisation which named it Cyclone” Ditwah “as per international protocol. The name Ditwah is based on a heritage lagoon located at Socotra islands in Yemen. The Cyclone moved from east to west initially with high intensity on 28 Nov and enveloped almost entire Sri Lankan southern and eastern coast with heavy rains and lightening. The cyclone then moved north along Coromandel coast to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on 29 Nov and it weakened.
The cyclone again turned back to 30 Nov and gradually diminished but it had caused havoc and destruction in Sri Lanka and also in some parts of southern India especially Chennai and Puducherry. Cyclonic storm Ditwah finally petered off by 3 Dec 2025.The violent winds at the speed of 65 Knots lashed the coast and blew away trees and huts, Red Alert was sounded in Sri Lanka town of Kandy in western province. The two rivers (Kelani and Attanagalu) become violent and breached the banks. Sri Lankan government sent SOS to Indian Foreign office and other countries for a Humanitarian Disaster Relief Assistance, Indian government immediately responded and issued warning order to Indian Air force, Indian Navy and NDRF Headquarters.
Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched at the dawn of on 3 Dec 2025 as two Indian Naval ships INS Vikrant (Aircraft Carrier), INS Udayagiri (Frigate) were mobilised. They were loaded with Disaster relief materials ie Medicines, Rescue equipment, Tents. Water supply, equipment, food materials, The Flotilla reached Colombo and supplied about 100 tonnes of relief material within 6 hours. One IL 76 and C-130 J Hercules also took off from Hindon Air base with National Disaster Relief Force teams and 25 tons of relief material and landed at Bandaranayke International Airport by 1800 h. Another ship INS Sukanya reached Trincomalee port on 4 Dec with 12 tonnes relief material.
Indian Rescue teams have intensified operations and saved several stranded about 150 including a 9-month pregnant woman in Puttalam district and were moved to field hospital. Indian rescue teams are presently deployed and carrying out search and rescue missions in cyclone hit areas. Cyclone Ditwah has inflicted widespread destruction and is being described as one of the worst disaster Sri Lanka has faced in this century. It has claimed 619 lives and nearly 500 are still missing according to local media reports.
Colombo Districts and Gampaha districts are the worst hit with over 4,37,000 people have been affected and 212 Shelters have been established. Badulla and Nuwara Districts have reported several landslides and 145 deaths and several are missing. Kandy reported highest death toll of 88 and 150 persons still missing. Northern and Eastern Part also been severely affected with 15086 displaced. Manar reported 80,000 displaced, Ampara and Monaragala also reported 11 deaths. Entire Sri Lanka 564 Shelters centres have been established and accommodating almost 2,18,526 individuals from 61,612 families. Rescue and relief are the need of hour, Food, fresh water, medical help and shelters are required at large scale. India is leaving no stone unturned to help the nearest maritime neighbour in hour of crisis.
Indian humanitarian relief mission is proceeding full swing for people of Sri Lanka; A folly operational Field Hospital has been set up in record time at Mahiyanganya near Kandy to support the affected people of nearby region. Team of Doctors and Medical staff have been providing First Aid, treatment and even minor surgeries. The medicines are delivered to patients and needy. An operation theatre also been established and Medical Ambulances are ferrying patients to hospital. Indian Field Hospital has a trauma centre, Surgical centre and even labour room for urgent deliveries.
Two C-17 Globe Masters have landed on 4 Dec 2025 carrying a dismantled modular Steel bailey bridge and along with a team of Army Engineers to restore connectivity by constructing Cl 40 Road bridges over rivers. Sri-Lankan Meteorological Department Government has further issued a Red Alert warning on 5 Dec for thunder storm and lightning in district of Galle. Matara in Sabaragamuwa province and also in Kandy town.
The relief material has also been coming from various countries like United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Japan, Australia , Bangladesh and Maldives but the quality and quantity are not sufficient. United Nations has also sent Red Cross teams for rescue mission and coordinating with other agencies like WHO and World Bank. The Indian Armed forces and NDRF are standing like a rock along with Sri Lankan people and government and providing all necessary help and assistance to fight against the disaster and restore normalcy. So far, India has provided 3000 plus NDRF personnel.
750 tonnes of Relief material ,50 bed fully operational field hospital, medical teams of Army doctors operating in remote areas and Army sappers have installed about 2 bailey bridges and repaired many culverts to restore connectivity. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has thanked PM Narendra Modi for immediate help and boosting morale of Sri Lankan people in hour of crisis like a good neighbour and complimented India as a “A friend in need is a friend in deed”. Operation Sagar Bandhu still continues.