A Brief Overview of the Devastation
Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka with catastrophic force, leaving a trail of destruction across the island. Between November 27 and 29, 2025, the storm triggered continuous torrential rain, severe flooding, and deadly landslides—resulting in at least 123 deaths and over 130 people still missing. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) estimates that more than 200,000 people from 61,000 families have been severely impacted.
Central Province districts, including Kandy and Badulla, recorded the highest casualties as hillside collapses wiped out homes. Rising river levels—especially the Kelani and Attanagalu—flooded major areas such as Colombo and Gampaha, after reservoir spill gates were forced open to prevent structural failure. With entire communities submerged, mass evacuations were ordered, and the Sri Lankan Air Force mounted high-risk rescue missions to extract those trapped by rising waters.
India’s Humanitarian Aid: Operation Sagar Bandhu
In a swift demonstration of regional solidarity, India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu within hours of the cyclone’s landfall. Under its “Neighbourhood First” framework, India dispatched 21 tonnes of relief materials on November 28, transported by IAF C-130J and IL-76 aircraft to Bandaranaike International Airport. The supplies included food, medical kits, sanitary products, temporary shelters, and essential rescue equipment.
Logistics Behind the Relief Mission
The relief was executed through four sorties originating from Hindon Air Force Station (Uttar Pradesh) and Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu). Over 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) accompanied the mission, ensuring immediate on-ground deployment. A second phase—40 tonnes of additional supplies—has been pledged, while INS Surat remains on standby for sea-borne humanitarian delivery.
Strategic and Regional Significance
This operation echoes India’s earlier rapid-response missions—such as Operation Dost in Turkey (2023) and Operation Ajay in Israel (2023). Beyond humanitarian duty, the mission reinforces India’s strategic presence in the region at a time when Sri Lanka continues to navigate geopolitical pressure, especially from China. The cost of assistance, estimated at around ₹50 crore, strengthens India’s credibility as a reliable first responder in South Asia.
Wider Implications and Regional Readiness
Cyclone Ditwah’s impact is not confined to Sri Lanka; southeastern Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh remain on high alert, with heavy rainfall and preventive evacuations underway. As the cyclone weakens and exits Sri Lanka, the long path to recovery begins—requiring weeks of reconstruction, rehabilitation, and humanitarian coordination.
Strengthening Regional Resilience
Cyclone Ditwah stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most devastating climate disasters in recent years, exposing vulnerabilities in infrastructure, early-warning systems, and disaster readiness. India’s rapid deployment under Operation Sagar Bandhu not only brings critical relief to affected communities but also underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in an era of intensifying climate events.
As Sri Lanka transitions from crisis response to recovery, joint humanitarian efforts will remain central to restoring stability, rebuilding lives, and strengthening regional resilience against future climate emergencies.
(With agency inputs)
