Sri Lanka Floods Cyclone Ditwah 2025

Sri Lanka Floods 2025: Causes, Impact & India’s Humanitarian Support

Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades, as Cyclone Ditwah triggered record-breaking floods and landslides across the country. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 998,918 people across 25 districts have been affected, with 212 deaths and 218 missing.

Over 180,000 people from 51,000+ families have taken shelter in 1,094 government-run relief centres as search and rescue operations continue.

In this blog, we break down the science behind such storms, the devastating impact across Sri Lanka, and the critical humanitarian help provided by the Indian Armed Forces.

What Caused Cyclone Ditwah? The Science Behind the Storm

Tropical storms form over warm ocean waters, especially near the equator. When hot, moist air rises:

• It creates low pressure
• Cool air rushes in to replace it
• The cycle intensifies and begins to rotate
• This rotation forms strong winds and heavy rainfall

Once wind speeds hit 63 km/h, the system becomes a tropical storm. Cyclone Ditwah reached 65 km/h, officially categorizing it as a cyclonic storm.

If winds exceed 119 km/h, it is classified as a severe tropical cyclone—luckily, Ditwah did not reach that level, but it caused catastrophic rainfall leading to south Asia’s worst flooding in years.

Regions Most Affected in Sri Lanka

Several districts have seen unprecedented destruction:

Lowland & Coastal Areas

• Gampaha
• Colombo
• Puttalam
• Mannar
• Trincomalee
• Batticaloa

These regions suffered heavy flooding, loss of homes, submerged farmland, and washed-out roads.

Central Hill Country

• Kandy
• Badulla
• Matale

These districts witnessed deadly landslides, burying houses and cutting off entire communities from road access.

Human Impact: A Nation in Crisis

• Nearly 1 million people affected
• Thousands displaced
• Homes, schools, and hospitals damaged
• Agriculture and livelihoods destroyed
• Communication and transport severely disrupted

The crisis has turned into a nationwide humanitarian emergency, prompting global aid and fast-response rescue operations.

India Extends a Helping Hand: Humanitarian Aid by Indian Armed Forces

As Sri Lanka battles one of its gravest disasters, India stepped in immediately under the “Neighbourhood First” policy.

Key Support Provided by India

1. Indian Navy Ships Deployed

• INS vessels carrying relief supplies, medical teams, and rescue equipment were dispatched to affected ports.

Essential materials included:

• Food packets
• Bottled water
• Tarpaulins & tents
• Blankets
• Portable generators
• Emergency medicines

2. Indian Air Force (IAF) Airdrops & Evacuations

• IAF helicopters conducted aerial rescue in landslide-hit hill areas.
• Medical evacuations were performed for critically injured individuals.
• Relief materials were airdropped to areas unreachable by road.

3. On-ground Support & Joint Operations

Indian disaster-response teams worked with Sri Lankan authorities in:

• Clearing debris
• Restoring communication
• Re-opening key roadways
• Setting up temporary shelters

This timely assistance has been widely appreciated by the Sri Lankan government and citizens.

Why Regional Cooperation Matters During Climate Disasters

South Asia is experiencing more frequent and intense storms, driven by climate change and rising ocean temperatures.
This disaster highlights the need for:

• Stronger regional climate preparedness
• Joint disaster response training
• Investment in early-warning systems
• Strengthening community-level resilience

The quick Indian response showcases the importance of cross-border solidarity during climate emergencies.

Operation Sagar Bandhu: India’s Rapid Humanitarian Mission to Help Flood-Hit Sri Lanka

Operation Sagar Bandhu is the name of India’s emergency humanitarian relief mission launched to support Sri Lanka during the devastating Cyclone Ditwah floods. The operation reflects India’s “Neighbourhood First” and “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region” maritime cooperation vision.

What is Operation Sagar Bandhu?

Operation Sagar Bandhu is India’s coordinated rescue and relief mission involving the:

• Indian Navy
• Indian Air Force
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

The mission aims to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka through medical aid, food supplies, evacuation support, and on-ground rescue efforts.

The word “Bandhu” means friend, highlighting India’s role as a trusted friend and first responder in the Indian Ocean region.

Key Highlights of Operation Sagar Bandhu

1. Deployment of Indian Navy Ships

India deployed multiple naval ships carrying:

• Food packets
• Fresh water
• Medicines
• Tents & tarpaulins
• Power generators
• Emergency supplies
• Engineering tools for road & debris clearance

Navy teams also assisted in:

• Restoring damaged coastal pathways
• Supporting local fishermen communities
• Repairing communication links

2. Indian Air Force (IAF) Aerial Support

The IAF provided:

• Aerial rescue of stranded families in hill districts
• Air-dropping of relief material in inaccessible villages
• Medical evacuation of critically injured individuals
• Transportation of NDRF personnel & equipment

3. NDRF & Medical Teams on Ground

Specialized Indian teams supported:

• Search-and-rescue operations
• Treatment of flood victims
• Psychological first aid
• Setting up temporary shelters

Why Operation Sagar Bandhu Matters

This operation proves that:

• India remains the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region
• Strong regional cooperation saves lives during climate disasters
• Humanitarian assistance strengthens long-term ties between India and Sri Lanka

Operation Sagar Bandhu follows India’s earlier missions like:

• Operation Dost (Turkey earthquake)
• Operation Neer (Maldives water crisis)
• Operation Sagar-Ark (COVID relief)

Conclusion

Operation Sagar Bandhu shows India’s unwavering commitment to helping its neighbours in times of crisis. The rapid deployment of Indian Navy ships, IAF aircraft, and NDRF teams played a crucial role in supporting Sri Lanka during one of its worst flood disasters in decades.

Conclusion: A Long Road to Recovery

Cyclone Ditwah has left a deep mark on Sri Lanka — destroying homes, displacing families, and shaking the nation’s infrastructure. But amid the devastation, the rapid support from international partners, especially the Indian Armed Forces, has brought hope to millions.

As rescue operations continue, global cooperation, timely aid, and resilient planning will be crucial for the country's recovery.