As Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka this past week, the island nation found itself grappling with one of its worst natural disasters in recent memory. The death toll, as reported by authorities on Saturday, November 29, 2025, has risen to at least 132, with the number of missing continuing to grow. The Disaster Management Centre’s Director General, Sampath Kotuwegoda, confirmed that 176 people remain unaccounted for, a grim statistic that underscores the scale of the devastation. The numbers, unfortunately, are expected to rise as rescue teams push into areas still cut off by floodwaters and mudslides.
The ferocity of Cyclone Ditwah was felt across the entire country, but the central hill country—famous for its lush tea plantations—was hit particularly hard. According to CBC, heavy downpours on Thursday, November 27, 2025, triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and the overflow of most reservoirs and rivers. The resulting torrents swept through homes, fields, and roads, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Social media posts on Saturday revealed that several communities had been struck by overnight mudslides, with some areas still awaiting the arrival of emergency crews.
For thousands of Sri Lankans, Ditwah has upended daily life in ways both immediate and profound. Nearly 78,000 people have been displaced, forced to seek shelter in temporary accommodations after their homes were inundated or destroyed, as reported by the disaster management authorities. The government, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly shuttered schools and government offices, and postponed examinations to keep people out of harm’s way. In Colombo, the capital, water from upstream began to flood neighborhoods by Friday, November 28, even though the city itself had been spared the worst of the rain. The threat was so severe that authorities halted passenger trains and closed key roads, with rocks, mud, and fallen trees blocking vital transportation links across the country.
"Relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway," Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo, as quoted in The Hindu. The military’s presence has been crucial, not only for search-and-rescue efforts but also for distributing food, water, and medical supplies to those stranded in isolated villages. The scale of the displacement has been staggering: 43,995 people were moved to state-run welfare centers after losing their homes, according to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre. The logistical challenge of providing for so many, amid ongoing rain and treacherous conditions, has tested the capacity of local authorities and relief agencies alike.
The cyclone’s impact was not limited to Sri Lanka. As the weather system began to move away from the island and toward neighboring India, concerns mounted about the potential for further destruction along the subcontinent’s southern coast. The Indian government responded swiftly, dispatching two search-and-rescue teams—comprising 80 rescuers—and sending humanitarian aid to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing operations. The Indian embassy in Colombo confirmed the arrival of these teams on Saturday, November 29, 2025, highlighting the regional cooperation that has emerged in the face of shared adversity.
For many Sri Lankans, the storm’s aftermath has meant not only physical displacement but also significant disruptions to education and daily routines. In India, too, the cyclone’s approach prompted preemptive measures. The Pondicherry Central University, located along the country’s southeastern coast, announced on Friday night that all exams scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, were postponed. The university declared a holiday for all classes, citing a warning from the Coast Guard about the cyclone and the anticipated heavy rains. According to a release from the Registrar, a revised date for the examinations will be announced in due course, reflecting the uncertainty that Ditwah has brought to the academic calendar.
Back in Sri Lanka, the government’s decision to close schools and postpone examinations was made in response to both the immediate threat of the storm and the longer-term challenges of recovery. With roads blocked, communications disrupted, and many communities still isolated, authorities have emphasized the importance of safety over routine. The closure of schools and offices, while disruptive, has likely prevented further casualties by keeping people out of harm’s way.
As the floodwaters began to recede in some regions, the scale of the destruction became more apparent. Homes have been swept away, fields ruined, and infrastructure severely damaged. The central hill country, a region renowned for its scenic beauty and economic importance, bore the brunt of the landslides. According to CBC, rocks, mud, and trees collapsed onto roads and railway tracks, making it nearly impossible for rescue teams to reach some of the hardest-hit areas. In the words of one official, "The death toll is expected to rise," a sobering reminder that the full extent of the disaster may not be known for days to come.
The storm’s origins can be traced to the seas east of Sri Lanka, where Ditwah gathered strength before making landfall. Meteorologists have warned that, while the cyclone is now moving away from the island and toward India’s southern coast, the risk of further heavy rains and flooding remains. The memory of past cyclones—some of which have caused devastating loss of life and property in the region—has only heightened anxiety among residents and officials alike.
In the midst of tragedy, the resilience of Sri Lanka’s people has been on full display. Community members have banded together to help neighbors in need, sharing food and shelter and assisting with rescue efforts where possible. Social media has played a key role in documenting the unfolding crisis, with images and videos offering a window into the challenges faced by those on the ground. These posts have also helped authorities identify areas in urgent need of assistance, especially where mudslides have cut off access for emergency crews.
International aid and solidarity have provided a measure of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. India’s rapid deployment of search-and-rescue teams, along with the support of the Sri Lankan military and disaster management agencies, has ensured that relief operations continue around the clock. Still, as the waters recede and the long process of rebuilding begins, the scars left by Cyclone Ditwah will not soon be forgotten.
Sri Lanka’s experience with Cyclone Ditwah serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of island nations to extreme weather events. The combination of heavy rain, overflowing rivers, and landslides can turn a tropical paradise into a disaster zone in a matter of hours. For those who have lost loved ones, homes, or livelihoods, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. But amid the devastation, there is also a sense of determination—to rebuild, to support one another, and to learn the lessons needed to better withstand the storms of the future.
