A Trail of Destruction: From Sri Lanka to Tamil Nadu

The Cyclone Ditwah — which pummeled Sri Lanka before approaching Indian shores — has left behind a devastating path of floods, landslides, and widespread destruction. In Sri Lanka alone, the official death toll has climbed to 334, with hundreds more missing amid landslides and floods triggered by relentless rains.

As the cyclone weakened into a deep depression, it drifted north-west into the Bay of Bengal and continued to impact the southeast coast of India, especially parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Tamil Nadu: Storm Weakens — Rain Persists

According to the regional meteorological office, Ditwah’s core collapsed, and the system weakened significantly as it skirted the Indian coast. By the morning of December 1, it had turned into a deep depression located over the southwest Bay of Bengal — roughly 30–90 km off the coasts of northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Despite this, heavy rainfall continues to drench coastal and delta districts, triggering floods, waterlogging and disruption of daily life.

In Tamil Nadu, three people have died due to rain-related incidents: two due to wall collapses (in Tuticorin and Thanjavur) and one due to electrocution in Mayiladuthurai.

Meanwhile, travel and transport remain affected: several flights at Chennai International Airport were cancelled; low-lying areas saw waterlogging; and authorities issued warnings against venturing into flooded regions.

Local administrations have mobilised rescue and relief operations: disaster response teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state disaster squads, and other agencies are on standby across vulnerable districts.

Sri Lanka: The Horrific Toll of Floods and Landslides

In Sri Lanka, the impact of Ditwah has been catastrophic. The cyclonic storm brought intense rainfall across the country, causing widespread flooding and deadly landslides — especially in hilly regions where soil became saturated, and slopes collapsed.

Affected districts include Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale, with each region reporting dozens of fatalities and many more missing persons.

The disaster has displaced over a million people across Sri Lanka — more than 300,000 families have been impacted. Infrastructure, homes, roads and bridges have been swept away or severely damaged; access to many remote areas remains cut off, slowing down rescue and relief operations.

Emergency efforts are underway. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other rescue agencies are airlifting stranded Indian nationals from isolated zones and delivering humanitarian aid.

What’s the Current Scenario & What To Expect

  • The storm system has weakened, and its core is no longer a powerful cyclone.

  • Still, heavy rains are forecast to continue over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh in the ensuing 24–48 hours.

  • For Sri Lanka, the risk remains — flood waters, mudslides and disrupted infrastructure pose huge challenges for rescue and relief work. Many areas remain inaccessible.

  • Authorities are urging affected communities to follow evacuation orders, avoid non-essential travel, stay updated with weather bulletins, and maintain contact with local disaster management services.

Why Ditwah’s Impact Matters — Lessons & Aftermath

  1. Collateral Damage Even After Weakening: Ditwah shows that even when a cyclone weakens, the danger isn’t over. Heavy rains, flooding and waterlogging can continue for days — especially in coastal and delta regions. The indirect effects — like flooding, landslides, crop damage, and infrastructure collapse — can be as devastating as the cyclone itself.

  2. Vulnerability of Coastal and Hilly Communities: Both coastal plains (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry) and mountainous/sloped regions (Sri Lanka’s hill country) are acutely vulnerable to such extreme weather. Low-lying areas flood; hillside zones face landslides. This underlines the need for long-term disaster preparedness, including resilient infrastructure, better drainage systems, and early warning networks.

  3. Need for Rapid Relief and Rehabilitation: With over a million people affected in Sri Lanka and thousands displaced, immediate humanitarian aid and long-term rehabilitation are critical. Rescue efforts, temporary shelters, clean water, medical aid, and psychological support — all are essential. The coordinated effort under Operation Sagar Bandhu offers a model for regional cooperation.

  4. Climate Change & Intensifying Storms: While it’s difficult to attribute any single storm directly to climate change, the frequency and intensity of cyclones and the severity of flooding are consistent with trends forecast by climate scientists. Countries like India and Sri Lanka — with long coastlines and diverse terrain — need stronger policies on climate resilience and disaster mitigation.

Call to Action: What Communities, Governments & Individuals Should Do

  • For Authorities: Strengthen early warning systems; ensure robust evacuation plans; invest in resilient infrastructure — particularly drainage, flood barriers, and landslide prevention in hill zones. Disaster-prone districts should maintain ready-to-deploy emergency response teams.

  • For Local Communities: Stay alert to weather bulletins; avoid venturing into flooded areas; follow official advisories on evacuations; help neighbours and vulnerable people; document damages (for insurance/relief claims).

  • For Civic Bodies & NGOs: Mobilise relief materials and volunteers; ensure supply of clean water, food, medicines, temporary shelters; map vulnerable zones for future preparedness; engage in awareness drives.

  • For Citizens (particularly in neighbouring states): Given how a cyclone weakening over seas can still cause heavy rains inland, stay cautious. Avoid unnecessary travel, secure homes, protect vulnerable members (elderly, children), and support relief efforts.

Conclusion

Cyclone Ditwah’s journey — from a destructive storm in Sri Lanka to a weakening system skirting the Indian coast — is a stark reminder that disasters don’t end with landfall. The aftermath — heavy rains, floods, landslides, displacement — often causes equally severe damage. With 334 lives lost in Sri Lanka and rain-related deaths in Tamil Nadu, the human cost is immense.

As the storm weakens, the urgency for relief, rebuilding and resilience grows. Communities, governments and individuals must use this moment to push for safer infrastructure, timely disaster response, and long-term planning. Because in a changing climate, it’s not about if — but when the next storm will hit.