CYCLONE DITWAH REMINDS WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT

HE devastation wrought by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka is not merely a tragic weather event; it is a stark indictment of its fragile infrastructure, patchy disaster communication, and long-neglected urban planning. Three days of torrential rain triggered by the cyclone caused one of the island's worst floods in decades and exposed several weak links: breached embankments, choked drains, and sprawling informal settlements on riverbanks that turned it into a catastrophe. Early warnings were issued November 22 onwards through text alerts, press conferences, and evacuation notices. Yet, many citizens first learned of the danger when floodwaters reached their doorsteps. Power cuts prevented phone-charging, language barriers muted the messaging in Tamil-speaking areas, and unclear evacuation protocols sowed confusion. Declaring a public holiday and a state of emergency when the storm peaked stranded many citizens, amplifying the chaos.

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Preparedness by Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre fell far short of expectations. Meanwhile, India’s swift Operation Sagar Bandhu—deploying navy ships and IAF aircraft to deliver tonnes of relief material and evacuate over 2,000 Indians stranded in the island nation—earned gratitude on both sides of Palk Strait. Over 150 persons were rescued from surging floodwaters.